KC child care operator is accused in international fraud scheme
The operator of a Kansas City child care center has been charged in a fraud scheme with links to Nigeria and Somalia.
Federal prosecutors in Kansas City said Hauwa Al-Hassan appeared in court Wednesday after she was indicted by a grand jury on charges of theft of government property.
Al-Hassan, 47, of Raymore, owns and operates Guidance Child Care Center at 8101 E. Bannister Road.
According to the indictment, she allegedly filed fraudulent claims under a government program that provides subsidies for low-income families.
Since 2011, prosecutors said, Guidance had allegedly submitted more than $100,000 in fraudulent claims.
The indictment also alleges that Al-Hassan, a Nigerian immigrant, returned to Nigeria to teach others how to operate day care fraud schemes.
Her arrest was part of the nationwide sweep of similar schemes in Missouri and six other states, according to prosecutors.
Tony Rizzo: 816-234-4435, @trizzkc
This story was originally published July 13, 2016 at 3:34 PM with the headline "KC child care operator is accused in international fraud scheme."