In a breaking video posted to X, the arrest of an Armenian gangster and over a dozen others for a $47 million COVID-19 relief fund fraud was brought to public attention. Unfortunately, this crime seems to be part of a broader trend where foreign criminals take advantage of generous welfare programs.
For context, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was established by President Trump with the express purpose of eliminating fraud, waste, and corruption. Since the executive order that empowered DOGE, several prominent fraud busts have taken place.
The raid was captured in a dramatic clip captured by Fox News on May 29, 2025. The anchor said, “Fox News exclusively capturing Homeland Security’s sunrise bust of this Armenian-born man at his LA area home, the suspect, who uses the alias William McGrain, surrenders with his hands over his head. Investigators say McGrahan is the brains of a transnational crime ring that stole $30 million in COVID relief and small business loans meant to help tax-paying Americans.”
An official with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offered a brief statement to the press, explaining the purpose of this daring raid. The officer said, “If you’re engaged in fraud, if you’re taking money from the government that doesn’t belong to you, your door could be the next one that we’re hitting.
Providing additional context, the journalist continued, “According to court documents, an informant describes McGrahan as unhinged, claiming he talked about his ties to gangs in Armenia and threatened one person with a gun and a baseball bat in the multi-agency sting led by DHS, 14 people were taken into custody.”
Continuing the explanation, the FNC anchor added, “The suspects are simultaneously arrested across town so they can’t tip one another off, and then they’re brought to this special processing center to be booked. The suspects are charged with conspiracy, wire and bank fraud, and money laundering.
Concluding the segment, the journalist stated, “Investigators say multiple shell companies were created using phony documents. Some of the money was spent on homes and luxury goods. The rest was wired to Armenia, making it harder for the US to trace these fraudsters. Apply for $47 million in federal funds. They got away with about 30, most are Armenian born, but have become naturalized, and at least one faces deportation.”
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The clip was posted by a prominent conservative who said, “DHS arrests Armenian Gangster with over a dozen other criminals who stole $47M from Covid Funds! Money was easy to take, and they took it! DOGE will save Trillions in the future by exposing the corruption and lack of financial controls!”
In the comments under the post, conservatives expressed their anger with the criminal. One such comment said, “What I heard was that we were not vetting foreign nationals operating trans national criminal organizations. Just like with the Somalia case, we rewarded them with citizenship. Regardless of their openness in flaunting their trans national criminal ties.”
Watch the clip here:
Building on this point, another said, “Saving $Trillions$ when there are NOT $Trillions$ there does America no good. Get the $36 Trillion$ back, arrest the perpetrators without bail, then make the budget no more than HALF the tariffs brought in. It will take the blood of Patriots, but it will be worth every drop!”
Featured image from embedded video
