# How Kenyans were drawn into a $130m US ghost-student scam

https://mins.news/en/item/122027

- BBC News, 2026-10-30 07:29 UTC
- Other
- Original: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cxvgdzpy7241o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

> The US Justice Department has launched Operation Ghostbusters to investigate an alleged nationwide fraud scheme targeting federal student aid. Prosecutors accuse Kenyan Francis Mogambi and associates of stealing Americans’ identities to enroll fictitious students and divert aid. Five indictments have been issued, with 40 investigations still open. Some 830,840 potentially fraudulent aid IDs were linked to nearly $130m, a figure that does not represent confirmed losses.

## Related coverage

- [DOJ says thousands of “ghost students” used AI to steal millions in student loans](https://mins.news/en/item/122912) — Ars Technica, 2026-10-30
- [Feds charge five in sprawling ‘ghost students’ probe](https://mins.news/en/item/121642) — ABC News, 2026-10-29
- [WATCH LIVE: DOJ announces charges in student loan fraud case](https://mins.news/en/video/120908) — Fox News, 2026-10-29
