Two US benefits fraudsters arrested after stealing more than $21MILLION from American taxpayers
Two benefits fraudsters in the United States have been arrested after stealing more than $21million from American taxpayers.
The pair are facing eight counts of healthcare fraud as well as two further counts of money laundering.
Shamso Ahmed Hassan and Hanaan Mursal Yusuf are suspected of swindling the massive sum from US citizens by submitting false and fraudulent claims to Medicaid.
Medicaid is a federal-state partnership which hands out discounted health insurance to Americans across the country, including vulnerable individuals.
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the arrests, which were carried out by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Hassan was a beneficial owner of Smart Therapy Center LLC and Star Autism Center LLC.
While being enrolled as a services provider for the Minnesota Early Intensive Development and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) Program, she was also an employee and lead biller for Smart Therapy Center LLC.
This body was responsible for submitting claims to Medicaid.
The duo schemed to defraud a health care benefit programme by submitting the counterfeit claims – all over the course of more than four years.
It took place from May 2020 all the way through to December 2024.
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said: "These Minnesota residents have been accused of stealing more than $21million from the American taxpayer.
"They now face charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, eight counts of health care fraud, and two counts of money laundering.
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"Their Medicaid fraud scheme started during the coronavirus pandemic and lasted for four years. Ice continues to zero in on the rampant fraud in Minnesota.
"Under Secretary Mullin, we will end the defrauding of the American people."
Both are US citizens. Hassan is a naturalised American citizen.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), assisted by HSI, will continue the investigation. Both remain in federal custody pending judicial proceedings.
Around a fortnight ago, Washington DC pulled $1.3billion in Medicaid reimbursements to the state of California for failing to crack down on fraud.
“The state of California has not taken fraud very seriously,” Vice President JD Vance remarked.
The Trump administration has often criticised the Western state, although the recent withholding of funds marks the first time it has denied cash to the state branch.
Over in Minnesota, the federal government has withheld more than $300million in Medicaid reimbursements due to suspect claims.
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