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The Department of Justice (DOJ) on June 30 announced charges against 324 individuals in what officials called the department’s largest healthcare fraud operation in history — a sprawling, international scheme that siphoned billions from taxpayer-funded medical programs.
Nearly 100 of those charged are licensed medical professionals, including doctors and pharmacists, allegedly involved in coordinated scams targeting Medicare and other healthcare programs. The total fraud uncovered amounts to a staggering $14.6 billion, according to the DOJ.
Federal agents seized more than $245 million in cash, cryptocurrency, luxury cars, and other assets, signaling what officials warn is a sharp escalation in organized criminal exploitation of the US healthcare system.
“We are seeing a disturbing trend of transnational criminal organizations engaging in increasingly sophisticated and complex criminal schemes that defraud the American healthcare system,” DOJ spokesperson Matthew Galeotti said at a June 30 briefing.
Criminal networks based in Russia, Eastern Europe, Pakistan, and elsewhere allegedly acquired dozens of American medical supply companies and used them to file fraudulent claims for medical equipment never provided.
In one example, the DOJ said a single foreign-backed operation submitted more than $10 billion in false claims to Medicare.
The schemes involved the theft and misuse of medical records and identities of more than 1 million Americans across all 50 states.
“These individuals have infiltrated our healthcare system to steal American taxpayer dollars,” Galeotti said.
Federal agents made multiple arrests at airports and along the southern border to stop suspects from fleeing the country. At least 12 key figures are now in custody.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the scale and impact of the funding in the DOJ’s Monday statement.
“Health care fraud drains critical resources from programs intended to help people who truly need medical care,” Patel said. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to pursuing those who exploit the system for personal gain. With more than $13 billion in fraud uncovered, this is the largest takedown for this initiative to date.”
DOJ officials said investigations are ongoing and more arrests could follow in the coming weeks.
