Federal authorities unveiled a sweeping crackdown on fraud Thursday, highlighted by a massive Ohio Medicaid scam that allegedly siphoned more than $30 million meant for children’s mental health programs — and by the debut of the FBI’s new “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the cases during a news conference in Ohio, where officials detailed what they described as an unprecedented effort by federal and state authorities targeting healthcare fraud, government program abuse, and consumer scams, resulting in more than $57 million in alleged losses.
“I think you’ll agree with me that some criminals have gotten so bold, so audacious as to defraud the government of tens of millions of dollars,” Blanche said. He added that the cases “should shock your conscience.”
At the center of the announcement were charges against four Ohio defendants accused of orchestrating a behavioral health scheme that generated more than $30 million in fraudulent Medicaid claims.
According to prosecutors, the defendants operated organizations that billed Medicaid for therapy and psychotherapy services supposedly provided to children and young adults participating in summer camps, church groups, and recreational programs.
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Authorities allege many of the services were medically unnecessary or never provided as claimed. Prosecutors also say that after one company lost its credentialing with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the defendants allegedly continued billing through another entity.
Investigators seized roughly $469,000 spread across three bank accounts and confiscated 14 luxury vehicles valued at about $800,000. The collection included six Mercedes-Benz vehicles, a Bentley, BMW, Jaguar, Maserati, two Land Rovers, a GMC, and a McLaren.
Luxury cars seized by the Fraud Task Force. (Southern District of Ohio)
The Ohio case served as the centerpiece of a broader Justice Department initiative that included expanded cooperation between federal and state agencies, increased data-sharing efforts, and the launch of the FBI’s new Most Wanted Fraudsters list.
“Thanks to Vice President JD Vance’s vision, he had an idea,” FBI Director Kash Patel said. “He said, ‘Hey, you guys have a top ten most wanted list for all gangbangers, terrorists, narco traffickers, murderers, and rapists around the world. How about we have a top ten list for most wanted fraudsters?’”
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Patel said the list is now live on the FBI website and features fugitives accused of stealing tens of millions and even billions of dollars through large-scale fraud operations.
The Justice Department also announced charges against four people accused of fraudulently obtaining more than $1.4 million in COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program loans.
“Most Wanted Fraudsters” list on the FBI website. (Screenshot)
Prosecutors allege the defendants lied about business income and later submitted fraudulent applications seeking loan forgiveness.
In another case, authorities announced charges and detention orders connected to an alleged international romance scam that prosecutors say stole more than $15 million from over 130 victims nationwide.
Court documents allege suspects operating out of Ghana used dating sites, social media and artificial intelligence-powered video technology to create fake female identities and persuade victims, many of them elderly Americans, to send money through wire transfers.
Authorities said investigators seized more than $3 million in assets during that case, including a Lamborghini, a Tesla Cybertruck, a Mercedes-Benz, and a BMW.
The Justice Department said Ohio’s approach could become a blueprint for future state-federal partnerships as the Trump administration intensifies its campaign to root out fraud, waste, and abuse across government programs.
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