TL/DR –
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged 324 individuals, including 96 medical professionals, over alleged fraud schemes against federal health programs worth $14.6 billion. The cases represent wider patterns in healthcare fraud, including international networks, sophisticated execution and targeting vulnerable populations. The operation, known as the 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, is said to be the largest coordinated enforcement action in the history of the DOJ’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force.
Unprecedented US DOJ Anti-Fraud Operation
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has unveiled charges against 324 individuals, including 96 medical professionals, in an “unprecedented” federal operation aimed at over $14.6 billion in alleged fraud schemes against federal health programs. The 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown operation, led by the DOJ’s Health Care Fraud Unit, involved 50 federal districts and various fraud schemes, both civil and criminal.
“This record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminals who exploit our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
Transnational Crime and Medicare Fraud Cases
One of the largest cases, “Operation Gold Rush,” involved over $10.6 billion in fraudulent Medicare claims for urinary catheters and durable medical equipment (DME). Criminals, using stolen identities from over one million Americans, submitted fraudulent claims and transferred the funds overseas via cryptocurrency and shell companies. Nineteen individuals, including a US-based banker, are now facing charges for their involvement.
In Arizona, Farrukh Jarar Ali, a billing company executive, was charged for allegedly orchestrating a $650 million Medicaid fraud scheme involving substance abuse treatment centers. In another case involving wound care fraud, four individuals laundered proceeds through luxury purchases and cryptocurrency, leading to the seizure of over $7.2 million in assets.
VA Fraud and DME Fraud Cases
Additional cases involved fraud committed against veterans and federal employee health programs. In one case, $199,000 was billed to Medicare and Medicaid for DME that was neither delivered nor authorized. Another case involved charging $28.7 million to the Federal Employees’ Compensation Fund for drugs not prescribed or dispensed. A massage therapist was also charged for billing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) over $2.37 million for services never provided to disabled veterans.
AI-Generated Consent and Telehealth Schemes
In a serious case involving Illinois and Pakistan, five individuals were charged in a $703 million fraud where Medicare beneficiaries’ personal information was obtained via theft. Artificial intelligence (AI) was used to create fake audio recordings of patients purportedly consenting to services.
The operation also targeted illicit opioid distribution and telehealth fraud, leading to charges against 74 defendants for illegally distributing over 15 million pills and 49 defendants for fraudulent telehealth and genetic testing claims.
Coordinated Federal Anti-Fraud Measures
The 2025 Takedown is the largest coordinated enforcement action in the history of the DOJ’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force. It involved multiple agencies, including the DOJ, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), DEA, CMS, and 12 State Attorneys General Offices. The operation led to the seizure of $245 million in cash, luxury items, cryptocurrency, and other assets.
The DOJ reiterated that its enforcement efforts will continue to scale alongside emerging threats, such as digital fraud and international networks. For more detailed information, you can view individual case descriptions here, and find publicly available court documents here.
Note: All indictments are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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