OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The state Attorney General’s Office is urging people not to harass daycare workers as a national fraud investigation gets underway.

AG Nick Brown says members of the Somali community who run daycares in Washington have reported being harassed and accused of fraud.

It comes as the FBI announced yesterday (Tues) that it’s investigating alleged nationwide fraud schemes involving taxpayer funds.

The Department of Health and Human Services has frozen all childcare payments to the state of Minnesota after a video posted to social media raised questions about Somali-run childcare centers.

Brown says his office is in communication with the state Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) regarding the online fraud claims.

But he warned that any threats or harassment targeting daycare centers will not be tolerated.

Anyone concerned about fraud can learn more by going to the DCYF’s website.