Manhunt Launched as Kenyan-Linked Man in $11M Minnesota Fraud Vanishes

A suspect at the center of a Medicaid fraud case in Minnesota has vanished after skipping a scheduled trial, prompting a nationwide manhunt.

Abdirashid Ismail Said failed to appear for a pre-trial hearing at a Hennepin County court on April 8, leading a judge to issue an arrest warrant and order the forfeiture of his $150,000 unconditional bond, according to FOX 9, citing the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.

His disappearance has effectively stalled a high-profile fraud trial tied to nearly $11 million in alleged losses to taxpayers. Said is accused of being the “principal actor” in a sprawling Medicaid fraud scheme that ran from May 2019 to May 2023.

Prosecutors allege he secretly controlled three home healthcare agencies despite being barred from participating in Medicaid-funded operations following a 2022 fraud conviction.

According to court documents, the agencies collectively received more than $10.9 million in Medicaid payments while the 50-year-old allegedly concealed his involvement

$11 million Medicaid fraud scheme

Investigators said the scheme relied on billing for services that were never provided, inflating claims, and submitting fraudulent or undocumented records.

Authorities estimate that one agency alone received about $4.6 million based on falsified documentation. In addition, roughly $997,000 was billed for patients who later denied receiving any services, while more than $300,000 was attributed to overbilling.

Also Read: Trump Suspends Medicaid Millions to Minnesota Over Fraud Probe

A further $5.8 million is linked to claims that were either undocumented or supported by fraudulent records.

A key witness, identified as a case manager, told investigators she was paid approximately $73,000 to create fake documentation to support claims, with prosecutors alleging that Said and his associates were aware the records were fraudulent.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison told FOX 9  that law enforcement agencies are actively searching for Said, describing his disappearance as a major setback.

“A warrant has been issued for Mr. Said’s arrest after he failed to appear for a pre-trial hearing. My Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is working with federal law enforcement to locate Said and ensure he faces justice for the fraud he committed,” Ellison said.

“This is a deeply frustrating setback, however I remain committed to doing everything I can to hold Said and other Medicaid fraudsters accountable.”

The Kenya Times reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota for clarification on the suspect’s whereabouts and any ongoing efforts to apprehend him. However, the office had not responded by the time of publication.

Said’s disappearance has drawn scrutiny to the circumstances that allowed him to retain his passport despite facing serious charges.

Court records show he was offered two bond options: a $50,000 conditional bond requiring surrender of his passport, or a $150,000 unconditional bond with no such requirement. He chose the higher amount, enabling him to keep his travel documents.

Minnesota Medicaid fraud suspect misses court appearance

Investigators had earlier flagged concerns about his international ties, citing family ties abroad, according to FOX 9. In a filing, a detective warned that “given the nature and severity of the charges” and Said’s overseas connections, there was a risk he could flee or evade arrest. FOX 9 spoke to Said’s attorney, who said they are not able to provide any comment.

Despite his 2022 conviction—in which he was ordered to repay $77,000 and barred from working with Medicaid-funded entities—prosecutors allege that Said continued to operate healthcare businesses that received millions in public funds.

Minnesota officials argue the case highlights systemic vulnerabilities in tracking barred individuals and monitoring ownership structures within healthcare programs that rely heavily on self-reported data.

“Minnesotans who receive Medical Assistance have a right to expect that they’ll receive all the care, dignity, and respect they’re entitled to,” Ellison said in a separate statement. “People who commit Medicaid fraud violate both those rights.”

Said is not the only individual implicated in the case. Two co-defendants, Ali Abdirizak Ahmed and Said Awil Ibrahim, have also been charged with racketeering and aiding and abetting theft by swindling. Authorities say additional charges against other individuals involved in the scheme are expected.

Also Read: Trump Govt to Go After Ilhan Omar and Husband Over Fraud Allegations

The case has also drawn parallels to other major fraud investigations in Minnesota involving cross-border financial networks.

In a separate federal case, a Kenyan national was also in 2025 charged with helping launder millions of dollars linked to a COVID-19 child nutrition fraud scheme.

Why this matters

If Said is confirmed to have left the United States, efforts to bring him back could involve complex legal processes, including extradition or mutual legal assistance agreements between the U.S. and the country he may have fled to. However, officials have not publicly disclosed whether such steps have been initiated.

For now, Said remains a fugitive, and his disappearance has left prosecutors scrambling to revive a case that was intended to set a precedent in combating large-scale Medicaid fraud.

The incident is likely to fuel debate over bail conditions in high-value financial crime cases, particularly whether defendants with international ties should be required to surrender passports as a standard safeguard.

As the manhunt continues, authorities maintain that holding Said accountable remains a priority, even as the case exposes the intersection of legal loopholes, regulatory gaps, and the growing complexity of cross-border financial crime.