One Million Identities Stolen for $10.6 Billion Medicare Fraud From Foreign Countries

One million identities were stolen by Russia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, and other European countries. They conducted the largest health insurance fraud scheme ever uncovered in American history.

The fraud network operated through companies in the U.S., with proceeds moved to countries like China, Singapore, and Turkey,

The Department of Justice just announced that criminals in other countries stole American identities and submitted $10.6 billion in fraudulent claims to Medicare.

“Operation Gold Rush” took down the transnational crime organization. Authorities seized cash, luxury vehicles, and properties. They vowed to return money that was stolen from American taxpayers.

FBI Director Kash Patel noted that hundreds of defendants and medical professionals have been charged, and $15 billion in losses prevented

The group allegedly purchased more than 30 legitimate U.S. companies. They transformed them into fronts for billing Medicare for durable medical equipment (DME), such as catheters. These supplies were never provided.

The operation prevented Medicare from paying out all but about $41 million of the $4.45 billion scheduled, with $4.41 billion held in escrow for return to the Medicare trust fund.

The scheme’s reach extended beyond Medicare, with about $1 billion paid by supplemental insurers. It also involved over 7,000 physicians and legitimate businesses.