Federal authorities have initiated a sweeping operation in Minnesota, aimed at tracking down and apprehending individuals involved in defrauding the public, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The agency announced on X that its investigative team is undertaking a significant effort to identify, arrest, and expel criminals engaging in fraudulent activities. “We are committed to eradicating this widespread fraud affecting Minnesota,” DHS stated.

Images have surfaced showing DHS agents active in a Minneapolis store, underscoring the agency’s assertion that it has commenced efforts to tackle suspected fraud in the area.

Efforts to engage DHS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for further comments have been made by Fox News Digital.

This DHS initiative follows closely on the heels of the department’s declaration to probe fraudulent activities in Minneapolis. This came after an independent journalist released a video scrutinizing local daycare center operators.

On Monday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared videos of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents conducting door-to-door inquiries with businesses, showcasing the ongoing efforts to address these concerns.

Minnesota has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks after authorities revealed multi-million fraud operations in the state, resulting in dozens of arrests and indictments. 

Over the weekend, FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau had moved resources into the state, pointing to the Feeding Our Future investigation, which uncovered an at least $250 million scheme that siphoned federal food aid intended for children during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Patel’s announcement came in the wake of a viral video posted on social media Friday by independent journalist Nick Shirley that highlighted alleged fraud involving Minnesota childcare and learning centers. 

In the video, many of the facilities appeared non-operational despite allegedly receiving millions of dollars in government aid.

The video quickly went viral and prompted several Republican lawmakers to call for an investigation and to call out Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, accusing his office of failing to oversee where and how taxpayer funds were being used. 

State officials have pushed back on the alleged fraud. At a Monday press conference, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families Commissioner Tikki Brown said prior inspections of the centers did not uncover fraud and that regulators are conducting additional unannounced visits to review concerns raised by the video.

“We are aware of a video that’s being circulated that has gained local and national attention about childcare centers in Minnesota,” Brown said. “While we have questions about some of the methods that were used in the video, we do take the concerns that the video raises about fraud very seriously.”