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Members of Islamist group flee Sweden after misappropriating millions in public funds and creating network of fraudulent schools

The scheme, built on family ties, Salafist ideological connections and webs of financial fraud, has led to numerous school closures, criminal convictions and a many of the main players involved fleeing the country.

Students out of Swedish-speaking comprehensive school (Archives).

Students out of Swedish-speaking comprehensive school (Archives).Alessandro RAMPAZZO / AFP.

Diane Hernández
Published by
Diane Hernández

A recent investigation published by Expressen revealed the existence of a complex network of schools, preschools and businesses linked to radical Islamist figures in Sweden, accused of siphoning off more than $1 billion in public funds earmarked for education and social welfare.

The plot, built on family ties, Salafist ideological connections and financial fraud schemes, has led to numerous closures of educational centers, criminal convictions and a wave those involved fleeing the country, according to the media.

A network that operated for years with public funds

According to Expressen, for more than a decade these schools and preschools received generous state funding while being run by radical imams, financial advisors and linked businessmen.

Swedish authorities, in some cases at the behest of the Security Service (Säpo), closed the schools after detecting links to violent extremism and discovering serious financial crimes.

Henric Fagher, chief prosecutor of the Economic Crime Authority, explained to Expressen that it was a case of "double damage."

"The money disappears and does not fulfill its social purpose, while others get rich by appropriating public funds," he told the Swedish news site.

Two networks connected by religion, finance and crime

Expressen detailed that the cases are not isolated incidents: behind them is a collaborative network, united by kinship, economic interests and a radical religious vision.

Among its leaders are extremist imams such as Abo Raad, Abdel Nasser El Nadi and Hussein al-Jibury, as well as businessmen such as Abdirizak Waberi, a former moderate M.P., and financial advisor Mohammad al-Kotrani, who was pointed out as a key player in the fraudulent accounting.

Widespread fraud: From sex clubs to transfers to Somalia

One of the most emblematic cases is that of the Römosse school in Gothenburg. According to Expressen, its former director, Abdirizak Waberi, diverted 12 million Swedish kronor (roughly $1.25 million) through fake invoices. Some of the money ended up with an Islamist party in Somalia; some financed trips to sex clubs in Thailand, luxury hotels in Asia and political affiliation payments.

Schools linked to El Nadi and Imam Abo Raad also moved large sums abroad. El Nadi transferred more than 4 million kronor (roughly $420,000) to Malta before fleeing to Egypt, where he was tracked down by the media outlet that published the investigation.

Those involved flee the country

The Expressen investigations reveal that, as the legal proceedings and misused funds progressed, the main players began to leave Sweden one by one. Among them are names such as:

  • Abo Raad, considered a threat to national security, left the country voluntarily.
  • Abdel Nasser El Nadi, also subject to deportation, escaped with millions in foreign accounts.
  • Rabie Karam, founder of schools in Gothenburg and Gävle, is a fugitive in Egypt after failing to report for sentencing.
  • Mohammad al-Kotrani, Abo Raad's financial advisor and son-in-law, left behind $2.4 million in debt and continues to operate companies despite legal prohibitions.

The Swedish Tax Agency is pursuing defectors for tens of millions in unpaid taxes.

A network that also tried to infiltrate assistance services

According to Expressen, the scheme was not limited to schools: it also attempted to profit from homes for unaccompanied migrant minors, welfare companies and sports organizations used to divert funds. In several cases, the money ended up in the hands of radical Islamist associations or extremist preachers.

In early October, the Swedish government publicly acknowledged the presence and expansion of political Islam in various institutions in the country and announced an official investigation to determine the extent of this infiltration, especially the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in neighborhoods, schools, social services and even political institutions.

The decision came after an official French report published in 2025 came to light that pointed to Sweden as one of the main hotbeds for organized Islamist activity in Europe.

The investigation will be conducted by a commission of specialists in terrorism, security and social sciences. Some experts publicly celebrated that, after decades of ignored warnings, Sweden is finally acting to curb the movement's spread.

The Swedish government plans to present the first findings in 2026, according to media reports.

A key facilitator: Mohammad al-Kotrani

Investigators cited by Expressen say al-Kotrani acted as the "facilitator" of the scheme. He is an operator with accounting skills that he used to move money between companies, inflate balance sheets, hide transfers and give the appearance of economic stability to educational centers that were on the verge of collapse.

Despite a ban on doing business, the report found that he continued to operate more than 20 companies from new offices in Gothenburg.

Ideological extremism, abuse of public funds and large-scale financial crime

The Expressen investigation uncovered a plot combining ideological extremism, abuse of public funds and large-scale financial crime.

What was initially presented as isolated school closures turned out to be a systematic network that drained resources from the Swedish welfare system, facilitated radical ideological activities and now faces judicial consequences while several of its leaders are hiding abroad.

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