BILLIONS Stolen While Federal Agents Watched

Three professionals analyzing security footage on multiple screens

A former TSA agent’s bombshell testimony reveals millions in cash were smuggled weekly through Minneapolis airport by Somali men while federal law enforcement turned a blind eye to what may be the largest fraud scheme in American history.

Story Highlights

Former TSA agent Liz Jax witnessed Somali men routinely carrying suitcases filled with millions in cash through Minneapolis airport security from 2016 onward
Federal prosecutors estimate up to $18 billion in Minnesota aid programs may have been stolen since 2018, with 82 of 92 defendants being Somali-American
Cash was allegedly funneled through hawalas to Somalia, including al-Shabaab terrorist-controlled regions where groups demand cuts
Trump administration launches massive federal raids and ICE operations targeting Minneapolis-area fraud networks in December 2025

TSA Insider Exposes Years of Ignored Cash Smuggling

Former TSA agent Liz Jax, who worked at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport from 2016 onward, revealed shocking details about routine cash smuggling operations she witnessed firsthand. Jax described seeing Somali men “time after time” carrying suitcases filled with millions of dollars through security checkpoints, often traveling in pairs with proper documentation. Despite TSA pulling bags for private screening and notifying law enforcement, minimal follow-up action occurred, allowing the operation to continue for years unchecked.

The cash movements, described as occurring weekly, included one particularly alarming incident where a Somali man carried luggage filled with brand-new passports alongside the money. Jax’s December 9, 2025 interview with Alpha News connected these observations to what she called “billions of dollars in fraud,” providing real-time eyewitness testimony that differentiates this case from typical post-investigation reports. Her account highlights systematic law enforcement failures at one of America’s major airports, raising serious questions about oversight and potential complicity.

Massive Federal Aid Fraud Network Exposed

Minnesota’s Somali-American community, the largest in the United States, became the epicenter of unprecedented federal program exploitation. The fraud schemes originated with the notorious Feeding Our Future nonprofit scandal, which defrauded over $300 million in COVID-era child nutrition aid between 2018-2021, resulting in 57 convictions by 2025. However, this was merely the beginning of a much larger criminal enterprise that expanded into childcare, housing, and autism programs across the state.

Federal prosecutors now estimate that half of the $18 billion in federal funds distributed in Minnesota since 2018 may have been stolen. The fraud operation involved billing for nonexistent services, with fake daycare centers claiming massive payments while providing no actual care. FBI raids uncovered elaborate schemes where suspects used cell phone tracking to coordinate luxury travel to Dubai and Kenya while simultaneously claiming to serve vulnerable children. The Minneapolis-St. Paul airport served as the primary cash-out hub for these stolen funds.

Terror Funding Links Through Hawala Networks

The stolen cash was funneled through hawala money transfer systems to Somalia, including regions controlled by the al-Shabaab terrorist organization. These informal banking networks, traditionally used by Somali immigrants due to the absence of formal banking in Somalia, were exploited to move fraudulent proceeds overseas. Investigative reporting revealed that even legitimate remittances passing through al-Shabaab territories are subject to terrorist taxation, meaning American taxpayer funds potentially supported terrorist operations.

Former Homeland Security investigators confirmed that bulk cash smuggling falls under HSI’s primary mission, yet cases like those Jax reported went unprosecuted despite clear documentation. This represents a catastrophic failure of federal oversight, allowing what may be terrorism funding to flow freely from American airports. The hawala connections expose how domestic fraud schemes can directly impact national security, undermining both fiscal responsibility and counterterrorism efforts.

Trump Administration Launches Aggressive Response

President Trump’s administration initiated a massive federal response in December 2025, with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel leading expanded raids across Minneapolis. Patel declared that previous arrests were “just the tip of a very large iceberg,” while Noem announced on social media that “ARRESTS” would follow when abuse is discovered. The federal surge includes coordinated ICE operations specifically targeting Somali areas, though this has resulted in at least one wrongful arrest of a U.S. citizen.

The crackdown exposes tensions between federal enforcement and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s administration, which claims to support prosecutions while seeking additional legislative powers. Trump has specifically criticized Walz for allowing the fraud to flourish, using the scandal to justify broader immigration enforcement measures. With 92 defendants already charged and 82 being Somali-American, the investigation represents the largest fraud prosecution in Minnesota history and sets a precedent for addressing community-based criminal enterprises that exploit federal aid programs.