DOJ charges 455 people for $6.5 billion health fraud: record in Medicaid and luxury seizures

The United States Department of Justice announced this Tuesday June 23, 2026 the results of the National Health Care Fraud Takedown 2026: charges against 455 defendants—including 90 doctors and other licensed healthcare professionals—for their alleged participation in health fraud and opioid abuse schemes that amount to more of $6.5 billionin false claims, with serious harm to patients, including deaths. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche called the operation "the largest government-wide effort to combat healthcare fraud in the nation's history."

The largest operation in DOJ history

According to the official statement and the publication of @TheJusticeDept in participation of 50 state Medicaid fraud control units—the largest number in the Department's history. In just 14 days, starting on June 8, coordinated charges were filed that the DOJ describes as the largest combined federal-state effort against healthcare fraud.

The operation also included unprecedented international cooperation: the arrest and repatriation of defendants in Kyrenia (scheme worth more than $3.7 billion), Estonia (organization previously charged with $10.6 billion) and the Philippines (Herb Kimble, fugitive from a $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud included on the FBI's "Most Wanted" list Fraudsters"). The DOJ appreciates the cooperation of Estonia, the Philippines and Türkiye.

Key Figures: Medicare, Medicaid and Administrative Actions

Wound Allograft Schemes and the Luxury Lifestyle

At a press conference, Blanche highlighted a case in Arizona: a sales executive accused of a national scheme of illegal bribery and wound allograft fraud. Between December 2021 and June 2024, providers billed Medicare more than $4 billion for these products, with payments exceeding $2 billion. The company did not manufacture the allografts: it bought them from tissue banks and resold them at a 2,000% margin, up to $1,450 per square centimeter, paying kickbacks of ~40% to marketers and doctors.

In South Texas, a nurse practitioner was indicted for a $906 million scheme involving medically unnecessary allografts, billing Medicare more than $1 million per patient on average. The government seized more than $30 million in bank accounts, a $594,000 Ferrari 296 GTS, seven high-end vehicles, a $865,000 personalized Bulgari necklace, and an additional $1 million in jewelry. Part of the money financed the construction of a $4.6 million resort on the beach in the Philippines.

Medicaid fraud and harm to patients

The DOJ notes that Medicaid is a vital program increasingly targeted by criminals. This operation includes the largest number of defendants and losses due to Medicaid fraud in the history of the Department. In Eastern New York, eight defendants face charges for a $38 million fraud at day care centers for seniors: although the permitted occupancy was 30 people, services were billed to hundreds of beneficiaries per day who never received them.

In Virginia, the co-owner of a mental health company was charged with $49 million in Medicaid fraud targeting homeless people, offering them hotel stays in exchange for their Medicaid numbers. In Arizona, another defendant submitted 44 million in false claims for behavioral services, primarily against Native Americans with substance problems.

International fugitives and “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list

Ibrahim Hilmi, charged in South Florida with an additional 3.7 billion in false claims for urinary catheters and durable medical equipment never delivered, was arrested in Kyrenia and appeared in federal court yesterday. Two members of the organization arrested last year were extradited from Estonia on June 12.

The FBI created the Most Wanted Fraudsters list on June 4. Herb Kimble, wanted for 1.2 billion in telemedicine, was arrested in the Philippines four days later. Today the FBI added Khalid Satary (547 million in genetic tests, fled to the United Arab Emirates) and Emylee Thai (90 million, fled to Vietnam with a false passport).

Who led the ad

In addition to Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Deputy Attorney General Colin M. McDonald. Kennedy called the action “the largest Medicaid fraud law enforcement operation in history”: 165 defendants with more than 200 million in false Medicaid claims in that subset, according to statements cited in the media.

The DOJ also announced the creation of the West Coast Strike Force and the deployment of more federal prosecutors to Medicaid cases. The Data Fusion Center — created last year with HHS-OIG, FBI and other agencies — enabled the financial intelligence team's first indictment in a 67 million scheme against Illinois Medicaid, with the detention at the airport of a defendant who was trying to leave the country.

In summary

What happened? The DOJ charged 455 people with healthcare fraud totaling more than $6.5 billion in false claims. Why does it matter? It is the largest healthcare anti-fraud operation ever coordinated in the US, with a record in Medicaid, massive seizures and international arrests. What's next? The accused are presumed innocent until proven otherwise; The DOJ posted charts, case summaries and court documents on its website. Links: DOJ Statement, @TheJusticeDept, Graphics and resources.