Full Breakdown
Minneapolis Grocery Owner Charged in $1.1 Million SNAP Fraud Scheme
5/13/2026, 10:52:47 PM
The Alleged Scheme
Abdidwahid Mohamed, owner of Minnesota Food Grocery LLC, is accused of trafficking more than $1.1 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits between March 8 and August 10 2021. Prosecutors allege he used other individuals’ Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to purchase items such as energy drinks and baby formula at Sam’s Club and Costco, then resold the goods in his Minneapolis store.
Background & Context
SNAP provides food assistance to low-income households through EBT cards that function like debit cards. In 2021, Walmart’s Global Investigation Team flagged suspicious EBT activity at Sam’s Club locations, prompting the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) to open a fraud investigation.
Key Figures & Groups
- Abdidwahid Mohamed – Defendant and grocery-store owner.
- Minnesota Food Grocery LLC – Retail outlet where the allegedly stolen goods were sold.
- Hennepin County Attorney’s Office – Filed the felony charge.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Oversees SNAP and issued a statement on program integrity.
- Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) – Conducted surveillance, executed search warrants, and coordinated with federal agents.
Timeline of Investigation
- Mar 8 2021 – Aug 10 2021 – Mohamed allegedly makes fraudulent EBT purchases.
- May 2021 – Walmart alerts BCA to irregular transactions.
- Aug 10 2021 – Search warrants executed; Mohamed arrested at a Sam’s Club in Bloomington with an EBT card and a handwritten PIN note.
- Apr 30 2026 – Case submitted for charging consideration.
- May 4 2026 – Formal charges filed; first court appearance scheduled for May 27 2026.
Data & Statistics
- $1,141,082 in EBT payments received during the scheme.
- >2 dozen EBT cardholders interviewed; many reported cards were lost, stolen, or used while the owners were abroad.
- 19 SNAP-trafficking cases recorded in Minnesota over the past five years.
Why It Matters
The alleged fraud threatens the integrity of a federal safety-net program that feeds millions of low-income Americans. It also highlights detection gaps in state and private-sector monitoring, prompting calls for stronger safeguards.
Official Statements & Responses
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office emphasized that SNAP “is a program meant to help low-income Minnesotans pay for their groceries.” USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins pledged to “operate USDA nutrition programs with the highest levels of integrity” and outlined new prevention tools, including EBT chip cards and stricter retailer authorizations. The BCA declined further comment, noting the investigation remains open.
Criticism & Opposition
Republican congressional candidate Dalia al-Aqidi described the case as “earned” fraud that “lands on the Minnesotans who actually pay taxes.” State Sen. Mark Koran called the incident “yet another example of why Minnesota is target number one for fraudsters” and urged full prosecution of all participants. State Sen. Michael Holmstrom labeled the scheme “the laziest one yet,” criticizing the lack of consequences for the defendant.
On-the-Ground Reports
A woman identified as “F.F.” testified that she allowed Mohamed to use her EBT card and had not shopped at his store for 1½ years. Surveillance video and GPS data captured Mohamed loading purchased items into his vehicle and delivering them directly to Minnesota Food Grocery.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Charges were filed nearly five years after Mohamed’s arrest, and no booking photograph was released. Sources differ on the exact filing date (April 30 2026 vs. May 6 2026) and provide limited explanation for the delay, leaving a notable gap in the procedural timeline.
Verbatim Quotes
- “SNAP is a program meant to help low-income Minnesotans pay for their groceries.” — Hennepin County Attorney’s Office
- “The USDA provided the following statement: “Secretary [Brooke] Rollins is committed to operating USDA nutrition programs with the highest levels of integrity, while respecting American taxpayers.” — USDA
- “Minneapolis didn't become America's fraud capital by accident,” — Dalia al-Aqidi, Republican congressional candidate
What's Next
Mohamed faces up to 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted. USDA plans to roll out additional EBT security measures, while state officials continue reviewing SNAP oversight protocols. The case is expected to proceed to trial later this year.
