US charges Kenyan in multi-billion money laundering scandal
Sheikh becomes the 74th defendant charged in what prosecutors describe as the largest Covid-19 fraud scheme in the United States.
The US Justice Department has indicted Ahmednaji Maalim Aftin Sheikh, 28, a Kenyan national, for conspiracy to commit international money laundering in connection with the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.
The indictment was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
Sheikh becomes the 74th defendant charged in what prosecutors describe as the largest Covid-19 fraud scheme in the United States.
“I share the outrage of my fellow Minnesotans at seeing money meant to feed hungry children converted into fortunes half a world away,” said Thompson.
“Sheikh’s indictment shows yet again what we are up against. It is another window into the many fraud schemes that have seeped into every corner of our state. But we cannot shrink from confronting this crisis. We must come together as Minnesotans and demand that the frauds stop now. We must protect the future of our children and our state.”
According to the indictment, Sheikh assisted his brother, Abdiaziz Farah—the convicted leader of the “Empire” group—in laundering and sending abroad proceeds from the fraud.
Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel sentenced Abdiaziz Farah to 28 years in prison for his role in the scheme. He is also awaiting sentencing in a separate juror bribery case.
From 2020 to 2022, Abdiaziz Farah and his associates defrauded the federal child nutrition program, misappropriating and laundering over USD 40 million (Sh5.2 billion) meant to provide free meals to needy children.
Investigators say Sheikh helped move the stolen funds abroad, investing them in Kenyan real estate through shell companies and bulk cash smuggling.
He allegedly helped Farah acquire a 20% stake in a real estate company in Kenya, an apartment block in Nairobi’s South C area near Nairobi National Park, and land in Mandera Town on the Kenya–Somalia–Ethiopia border.
Court documents detail exchanges between Sheikh and his brother celebrating their illicit gains. On July 3, 2021, Abdiaziz texted Sheikh: “You are gonna be the richest 25-year-old, InshaAllah.” Sheikh replied, “I love you so much.”
Sheikh also shared photos of large cash deliveries. On August 29, 2021, he sent a photo of USD 138,000 (Sh 17.9 million) in cash.
On December 9, 2021, he sent photos of banker’s boxes filled with USD 270,000 (KSh 35.1 million).
On December 16, 2021, he forwarded a receipt documenting a USD 300,000 (Sh 39 million) transfer labelled as “family support.” Days later, on December 27, 2021, Sheikh texted that he had received USD 1.287 million (Sh167.3 million) from his brother.
The indictment also highlights Sheikh’s links with his sister-in-law, identified as Individual S.D., a U.S. citizen and Abdiaziz’s wife’s sister.
In December 2021, Sheikh married her in Nairobi, though he later applied for the 2026 Diversity Visa lottery claiming he was unmarried.
In June 2023, she filed a petition to sponsor Sheikh for permanent residency in the U.S.
FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr. condemned the fraud, saying: “According to the indictment, Ahmednaji Maalim Aftin Sheikh saw this instead as an opportunity to steal from taxpayers and from hungry children. The indictment alleges Sheikh and his co-conspirators laundered more than USD 40 million (Sh5.2 billion) in federal funds.”
The case is being prosecuted by Acting U.S. Attorney Thompson, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs and Daniel W. Bobier. Asset seizures and forfeitures are being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune.
Officials said that an indictment is not a conviction, and Sheikh is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
