Mastermind of multi-billion US COVID aid fraud, who built apartment in Nairobi, jailed for 28 years

A US federal court has handed a Somali-American businessman 28 years in prison after he was found guilty of a multi-million dollar fraud scheme that was meant to be used as COVID-19 relief.

36-year-old Abdiaziz Farah is accused of using the fraudulently acquired money to build a 12-storey building in Nairobi.

Farah was identified as one of the most prolific and mastermind offenders in the scheme through which they stole between Sh38.8 billion and Sh51.8 billion (US$300–US$400 million) through the Feeding Our Future programme .

The court found him guilty of diverting at least Sh5.4 billion (US$42 million) meant for feeding underprivileged children during the pandemic.

Reports in a US publication, the Sahan Journal, indicate that the businessman used his Minnesota-based restaurant, Empire Cuisine & Deli, as a front to submit fake invoices and food distribution reports.

Prosecutors revealed to the court that he pocketed about Sh1.03 billion (US$8 million), which he used to buy luxury cars, maintain a lavish lifestyle in the UAE, and invest over Sh129.2 million 9US$1 million) into the Nairobi apartment project.

US District Judge Nancy Brasel described the fraud as “breathtakingly elaborate,” driven by “pure unmitigated greed.”

She emphasised the lasting impact of the crime on both taxpayers and the Somali-American refugee community.

The authorities said that Farah attempted to flee the U.S using a fake passport in 2022 and was arrested at the airport with a one-way ticket to Kenya.

Last year, he was also convicted of attempting to bribe a juror, for which he faces an additional 8 to10 years in prison.

Before sentencing, he tearfully apologised, saying, “I have destroyed everything I worked for.”

US officials have recovered up to Sh9.7 billion (US$75 million) so far.

The Nairobi high-rise is now under investigation, even though authorities in Kenya are yet to issue a formal statement.