A Minnesota man charged in a $90 million fraud case leaped from a fourth-story balcony on Thursday morning, May 21, to avoid FBI agents during a raid, and authorities say he is still on the loose.
Mohammed Omar, one of 15 defendants charged in the latest round of the investigation, jumped during a coordinated operation targeting alleged fraud in publicly funded programs.
Surveillance video captured him fleeing on foot afterward. Federal officials described the escape as dramatic and are now asking the public for help finding him.
Assistant Attorney General for Fraud Enforcement Colin McDonald confirmed the identification at a press briefing.
“The man in this video, he is a charged defendant named Mohammed Omar,” McDonald said. “Omar is one of the 15 defendants charged in the fraud cases that we have brought today.”
FBI Raid in Minnesota
Omar faces charges tied to the fraud cases that have hit Minnesota. Authorities added new counts for attempting to flee and obstructing justice after the balcony jump. The FBI has urged anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
The raids mark the latest push in Minnesota’s long-running battle against large-scale fraud in social service programs.
For years, federal and state investigators have targeted schemes involving child care assistance, Medicaid billing, and nutrition programs.
This week’s actions focused on operations accused of submitting false claims and misusing taxpayer dollars meant for vulnerable families and children.
Investigators say the $90 million case involves multiple defendants who allegedly inflated or fabricated services at day care centers and related businesses.
Many of the targeted sites serve low-income families through state and federal aid. Officials say the charging documents, which have not yet been released in full, show a pattern of deceptive billing that siphoned public funds.
Thursday’s operation involved FBI agents, Homeland Security Investigations, and state partners. Agents executed search warrants across the Twin Cities area.
At one location, Omar apparently tried to slip away as agents moved in. He jumped from the balcony, landed, and ran from the scene. Video shows him moving quickly along a paved area near a concrete barrier, carrying items, including a shoe.
No immediate word came on whether he was injured in the fall, but he was seen limping. Officials said they are treating him as a fugitive and warned the public not to approach him if they spot him.
Fraud Concerns in Minnesota
Earlier raids in April hit more than 20 day care centers and autism service providers suspected of Medicaid fraud. Those actions followed public attention on empty or underused facilities that still billed heavily for services.
One viral video from last year showed quiet buildings while records showed heavy payments.
Minnesota has seen massive fraud cases before, including the Feeding Our Future scandal, which involved fake meal claims during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to charges against dozens and losses estimated in the hundreds of millions.
Also Read: Trump Targets Ilhan Omar as He Alleges Widespread Fraud in Minnesota’s Somali Community
Prosecutors called it one of the largest pandemic-related fraud operations in the country. Many of those charged came from the local Somali-American community, which operates numerous service businesses in the area.
State leaders from both parties have pushed for tougher checks. Republican lawmakers have held hearings and demanded more transparency.
Democratic officials have joined the enforcement efforts while stressing that most providers follow the rules.
Mohammed Omar Remains at Large and Unpredictable
Until this piece was published, Omar had not been located. The FBI described him as a charged defendant who should be considered potentially unpredictable after his escape attempt.
The 15 defendants face a range of fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering charges. If convicted, they could face years in prison and orders to repay millions.
The raids and escape come as the Trump administration has promised a harder line on waste and fraud in federal programs.
Minnesota, with its mix of generous social services and tight-knit immigrant business networks, has become a testing ground for those efforts.
