In a plot twist that’s stranger than fiction, a video exposing a massive Somali daycare fraud scheme has taken the internet by storm, racking up an impressive number of views. Independent journalist Nick Shirley has stirred up a media maelstrom, unearthing a $100 million alleged fraud. The ripple effect has been seismic, prompting reactions from heavy hitters like the Department of Justice and the FBI. Minnesota is investigating these allegations, and the state is conducting site visits to the daycares involved in this scheme.

But it’s not all applause and accolades for Shirley’s gutsy reporting. His exposé has put him in the crosshairs, allegedly earning him a spot on some unsavory folks’ most-wanted list. He’s reportedly had to watch his back, wary of threats as he navigates Minneapolis. This tale of modern-day piracy has gained traction because when it comes down to it, if you import pirates, you might just get piracy. It’s a daunting scenario that should raise more than a few eyebrows. After all, these third-world pirates seem to have outdone even the wildest Hollywood heist plots with this scheme.

As the plot thickens, angst grows within the Somali community, and the irony is as rich as the fraudulent daycare operators they’re defending. They argue that shining a light on corruption is tantamount to targeting their community in an unfair, racially charged manner. Speeding through the alleyways of victimhood and playing the race card, however, just doesn’t cut it anymore. When accusations of wrongdoing emerge, playing ostrich and calling the whole affair an attack on religious freedom or claiming a victim’s mantle just won’t fly.

Surely this saga illustrates an issue larger than the dollars and cents fraudulently obtained from taxpayers: it’s a story about trying to hogtie those who dare to shine a light on corruption with cries of racism and Islamophobia. This nursery of fraud can no longer rock to sleep the conscience of the watchful eyes of the American taxpayer.

Now, as the eyes of the nation turn to Minnesota, the call to action for justice rings louder than ever. The powers that be are said to be gearing up for a big response, but only time will tell if they take decisive action. One thing’s for sure, though—Nick Shirley’s bold move has forced this tale of alleged Somali corruption into the limelight, proving that exposing fraud deserves more than a passing glance or a dismissive wave.