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BumRushDaShow

(157,462 posts) Sat Jun 28, 2025, 09:16 AM Jun 28

US charges 11 people in Russia-based scheme to bilk Medicare of $10bn [View all]

Source: The Guardian/AFP

Fri 27 Jun 2025 23.38 EDT

US federal prosecutors charged 11 people on Friday in a Russia-based scheme to bilk Medicare – the American health insurance program for the elderly and disabled – out of $10.6bn through fraudulent billing for expensive medical equipment.

The “transnational criminal organization” orchestrated a “multi-billion-dollar health care fraud and money laundering scheme” that included purchasing dozens of medical equipment companies from prior legitimate owners to perpetrate the fraud, according to the indictment dated 18 June.

More than a million Medicare recipients had their personal information stolen and used by the defendants to file for billions of dollars in claims from Medicare and its supplemental insurers, prosecutors said in the filing.

The claims were filed through medical equipment providers that the group had purchased, but no equipment was ever sent out for the payments.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/28/us-charges-11-people-in-russia-based-scheme-to-bilk-medicare-of-10bn

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US charges 11 people in Russia-based scheme to bilk Medicare of $10bn [View all] BumRushDaShow Jun 28 OP

I'm shocked the US govt is going after these Russian criminals. Irish_Dem Jun 28 #1

They must have left Putin out of the deal. bluedigger Jun 28 #3

My thought exactly. May have been Russian backed but not Oligarch backed. LiberalArkie Jun 28 #6

This investigation started under the Biden administration. Lonestarblue Jun 28 #12

The shock is that Trump didn't stop the investigation. Irish_Dem Jun 28 #14

Me too Gak73 Jun 28 #19

Doubts about all of this, seems a bit odd timing Born Free Jun 28 #33

Yes could be just a skit from the Trump reality TV show to distract voters. Irish_Dem Jun 28 #34

Good. But has the US looked lately at how much Medicare Advantage is bilking Medicare? CousinIT Jun 28 #2

Yep. Every dollar of profit is theft of a dollar from Medicare's budget n/t Cheezoholic Jun 28 #9

Tip of the Iceburger bucolic_frolic Jun 28 #4

That's wonderful that we did something good for once mahina Jun 28 #5

The US would save a lot more if they put a stop to Medicare calling me at least 6 Autumn Jun 28 #7

That's more than likely Medicare Advantage companies. Medicare itself does not cold call n/t Cheezoholic Jun 28 #10

Yep...+1000 Bengus81 Jun 28 #11

That advantage program gets their money frm Medicare. The calls never stop. Autumn Jun 28 #18

Correct. It's a PRIVATE insurance company, NOT Medicare. They will not get Medicare money if you dont use them Cheezoholic Jun 28 #27

Medicare is not calling you AverageOldGuy Jun 28 #23

Yes, you can go back to regular Medicare. But it's a PITA -- you have to drop during certain periods. eppur_se_muova Jun 28 #31

Wow! I didn't know Rick Scott was Russian! chowder66 Jun 28 #8

Snort!!! Bengus81 Jun 28 #13

My first thought Traildogbob Jun 28 #26

... CousinIT Jun 28 #15

Oh, you! Timeflyer Jun 28 #17

I know we hate private insurers for denying claims until they look at medical records, but traditional Medicare does a Silent Type Jun 28 #16

Recipients Personal information received from Elmo and associates??? Bev54 Jun 28 #20

My thoughts as well. Bayard Jun 28 #28

This started long before Musk, like 2022. Silent Type Jun 28 #29

"Hey Russia! You can't rob Medicare!" no_hypocrisy Jun 28 #21

Let this be a warning to YOU AverageOldGuy Jun 28 #22

In other words, better pony up trump's vigoresh thru his bitcoin laundry stat! PSPS Jun 28 #24

At one stroke, efficient federal government saves more money than DOGE ever did. Martin68 Jun 28 #25

DOGE was a complete success -- it screwed eveything up royally, and sent $B in contracts to Musk. Just as planned. nt eppur_se_muova Jun 28 #32

Don't worry, Trump will pardon them Quanto Magnus Jun 28 #30