{"id":2532062,"date":"2026-01-09T15:02:59","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T20:02:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bessent-calls-minnesota-genesis-of-nationwide-anti-fraud-rollout\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T15:06:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T20:06:21","slug":"bessent-calls-minnesota-genesis-of-nationwide-anti-fraud-rollout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bessent-calls-minnesota-genesis-of-nationwide-anti-fraud-rollout\/","title":{"rendered":"Bessent calls Minnesota &#8216;genesis&#8217; of nationwide anti-fraud rollout"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbessent-calls-minnesota-genesis-of-nationwide-anti-fraud-rollout%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2532062&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Minnesota will serve as the &#8220;genesis&#8221; for a broader federal rollout of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oversight-committee-threatens-clintons-with-contempt\/\" title=\"Oversight committee threatens Clintons with contempt\">anti-fraud protocols<\/a> as the government expands investigations into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/treasury-department-investigating-apparent-taxpayer-funding-of-terror-organization-under-biden-and-walz\/\" title=\"Treasury Department Investigating Apparent Taxpayer Funding of Terror Organization Under Biden and Walz\">alleged large-scale fraud<\/a>. He announced that FinCEN has notified money services businesses they are under active investigation for possibly transferring taxpayer funds overseas, including to regions in the Middle East and East Africa, and that some stolen funds may have been diverted to al Shabaab. The probe focuses on alleged schemes tied to MinnesotaS Somali community involving nonprofits, child care funds, and Medicaid, with authorities estimating about $300 million was stolen. The Treasury has issued a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >geographic targeting order requiring extra reporting<\/a> on overseas transfers and will train Minnesota law enforcement to better use financial data and suspicious activity reports. Bessent said the Minnesota measures will be used as a model for investigations in other states and criticized Gov. Tim Walz for failing to address the fraud.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Bessent calls Minnesota &lsquo;genesis&rsquo; of nationwide rollout for anti-fraud protocols<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2468492\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Treasury Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/scott-bessent\/\">Scott Bessent<\/a> said on Friday that <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/minnesota\/\">Minnesota<\/a> is just the beginning of the federal government&rsquo;s efforts to combat <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fraud\/\">fraud<\/a>, confirming that other states will eventually fall under a similar investigation.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;President Trump wants accountability. I want accountability. The American people want accountability, and they will get accountability,&rdquo; Bessent told reporters on a live video feed recorded in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/minneapolis\/\">Minneapolis<\/a> on Friday. &ldquo;That is why I&rsquo;m announcing several initiatives Treasury is taking to target fraud here in Minnesota, and the Minnesota protocols will serve as a genesis and a launching pad for investigations into other states.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4412862\/trump-jobs-data-social-media-breaking-protocol\/\">Trump revealed jobs data ahead of time on social media, breaking protocol<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4412599\/venezuelan-opposition-leader-machado-visit-white-house-trump\/\">Venezuelan opposition leader Machado to visit White House: Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4412378\/vance-defends-immigration-enforcement-ice-shooting\/\">Vance takes the lead in defending immigration enforcement after ICE shooting<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Providing an update to his department&rsquo;s work in uncovering the extent of Minnesota&rsquo;s fraud scandal, the secretary said the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has notified money services businesses that they are under active investigation. He added that the businesses &ldquo;may have transferred taxpayer funds overseas&rdquo; from Minnesota to the Middle East or East Africa, where <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/somalia\/\">Somalia<\/a> is located.<\/p>\n<p>The stolen money has allegedly been diverted to al Shabaab, an al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group based in Somalia.<\/p>\n<p>Bessent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3916381\/treasury-targeting-money-services-businesses-minnesota-somali-fraud\/\">first announced<\/a> last month that the Treasury Department is looking into money services businesses amid the Trump administration&rsquo;s widening crackdown on allegations of fraud. He declined to name the businesses at this time but indicated that information would be made public in the future.<\/p>\n<p>Minnesota&rsquo;s Somali community is under federal scrutiny as reports indicate it is linked to alleged fraud schemes concerning the state&rsquo;s nonprofit groups, child care funds, and Medicaid programs.<\/p>\n<p>The Treasury is one of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4409731\/doj-prosecutors-minnesota-widening-fraud-investigation\/\">many federal entities<\/a> that sent personnel to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area to investigate the matter.<\/p>\n<p>Among the Treasury&rsquo;s actions that Bessent disclosed on Friday is a geographic targeting order issued by FinCEN that requires banks and money transmitters to report additional information about funds transferred overseas. The Treasury will also provide training to Minnesota law enforcement on how to use financial data, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-gop-committee-chairman-to-treasury-hand-over-info-on-biden-family-business-deals\/\" title=\"New GOP Committee Chairman To Treasury: Hand Over Info On Biden Family Business Deals\">including suspicious activity reports<\/a>, to better combat fraud schemes.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4408285\/trump-freeze-child-care-funding-democrats-affordability\/\">TRUMP FREEZE ON BILLIONS OF CHILD CARE FUNDING BECOMES POLITICAL CUDGEL FOR DEMOCRATS ON AFFORDABILITY<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Fraudsters in Minnesota stole at least $300 million meant for children in need, and we must prevent fraud of this scale from occurring in the future,&rdquo; Bessent said.<\/p>\n<p>The Trump administration official also attacked Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tim-walz\/\">Tim Walz<\/a> (D-MN), accusing him of &ldquo;incompetence&rdquo; and &ldquo;negligence&rdquo; for failing to combat fraud himself. Walz <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4406501\/tim-walz-drops-reelection-bid-minnesota-governor\/\">dropped his reelection bid<\/a> this week due to his handling of fraud, but he refuses to resign from office.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Minnesota is launchpad for national anti-fraud<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2532063,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP25343836355171.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[70499,45545,43425,5698,70500],"class_list":["post-2532062","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-anti-fraud","tag-bessent","tag-fraud-prevention","tag-minnesota","tag-nationwide-rollout"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP25343836355171.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2532062","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2532062"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2532062\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2532066,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2532062\/revisions\/2532066"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2532063"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2532062"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2532062"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2532062"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}