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The news is filled with reports on how tens of thousands of Somalians are involved in large-scale fraud schemes, viewing their actions as "rightful plunder" – a supposed provision under Islamic Sharia law that allegedly permits taking property from non-believers.

This idea has been tied to high-profile cases where Somali Americans were accused of defrauding government programs, such as food aid and social services, siphoning millions of dollars. Proponents of this view argue that fraud against the US system is seen by perpetrators as a form of permissible "jihad of money" or a tax-like obligation on infidels, drawing from distorted interpretations of concepts like ghanimah (war booty) in Islamic jurisprudence.

ALERT - Under US law, such actions are straightforward crimes, wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy, not protected by any religious justification. In the Minnesota cases, over 80 individuals, mostly of Somali descent, have been charged with stealing more than $250 million from federal programs intended for child nutrition and autism services.

Some funds reportedly flowed to terrorist groups like al-Shabaab in Somalia, prompting calls for deportation and denaturalization from lawmakers. The criminals commit these crimes against non-Muslim US citizens. They should be classified as hate crimes, which require bias motivation against a protected group (e.g., race or religion) under federal statutes like 18 U.S.C. § 249. Therefore, the bias is against infidels and US citizens if the criminals are not US citizens.

Fraud against the government doesn't inherently qualify, though if evidence showed targeting based on religious prejudice, prosecutors could pursue enhancements.

Final Word: If it is upheld that those criminals are foreign nationals, stealing government funds by the use of nefarious religious practices, then this is not only a hate crime but sedition as well.