Latest news with #criminalorganization
New York Times
18 hours ago
- Health
- New York Times
U.S. Charges 11 in Russia-Based Scheme to Bilk Medicare of $10.6 Billion
When hundreds of thousands of Medicare recipients were billed for expensive medical equipment they never asked for in 2023, doctors and health care providers around the United States feared a far-reaching fraud. Those fears were well-founded, federal prosecutors say. The surge in Medicare claims, for urinary catheters, braces and other durable medical equipment, was part of one the largest schemes ever designed to defraud the program, according to an indictment unsealed in the Eastern District of New York this week. The indictment charges 11 citizens of the United States, Estonia and the Czech Republic with working for a criminal organization based in Russia that, prosecutors say, defrauded Medicare of $10.6 billion. The scheme involved buying dozens of companies that were accredited to submit claims to Medicare and the program's supplemental insurers, prosecutors say. Then, using personal information stolen from more than a million Americans, the defendants filed billions of dollars in claims for equipment that had not been ordered by Medicare beneficiaries and was not delivered to them, according to the indictment. Even if the patients themselves did not pay for the phantom medical supplies, such schemes can affect Medicare recipients by causing premium costs to rise. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Sun
19-06-2025
- The Sun
Watch ‘movie-style' masked gang raid to spring Brit drugs boss from custody in Spain while he was being taken to dentist
THIS is the dramatic moment a violent gang raids a police van to free a Brit prisoner drug boss being taken to a dental clinic. The daring Ibiza assault has been described as a heist straight out of a "movie episode" and has led to the arrest of five people. 6 6 6 Operating in broad daylight, the armed mob were seen attacking a police van to free a British drug lord who was being escorted to a dental clinic to receive medical attention. The gang wore bulletproof vests, used a motorcycle and a high-end vehicle with forged licence plates they later set on fire. But while the assailants successfully freed the prisoner he was arrested hours later by the Spanish Civil Guard. The October 2023 attack - dubbed "Van Ibiza" - has since been confirmed as a "highly planned" operation conducted by a very "sophisticated" network of gang members. Their objective was the release of a Brit serving a sentence for drug trafficking and money laundering, the Civil Guard said. A spokesperson for the force added: "As the investigation progressed, it was found that it was a highly planned operation with a very sophisticated network, whose objective was the release of a prisoner of British origin, who was serving a sentence in the prison of Ibiza, for crimes of drug trafficking and money laundering at an international level." "In addition, it was found that it was a criminal organisation of English origin, of great police interest to international organisations, which was sustained by drug trafficking and high-end vehicles stolen internationally." "The individuals who acted in the assault on the police van had a great specialisation in similar events. "In fact, it was found that some of them had a record for homicide in third countries, as well as arms and drug trafficking." Following the assault - where assailants "intimidated the agents who were guarding a prisoner with firearms" - an urgent investigation into the group was launched. Dramatic moment drug dealer leads cops on high-speed chase through posh estate - before officers smash his windows in Searches were carried out in homes and warehouses used by the gang. Around 80,000 euros in cash and a stolen vehicle were seized, as well as large amount of drugs and documents containing details of the planned raid. A year and a half later, cops successfully identified all those involved and confirmed they had record and arrest warrants in the UK. The five gang members are being charged with crimes of evasion of conviction, aggravated attack against law enforcement officers, drug trafficking, membership of a criminal group, injuries and illegal possession of firearms. A European Police Office spokesperson said: "The investigation began as a result of a violent assault that occurred in 2023, on a busy public road in Ibiza and in the morning. "The assailants intimidated the agents who were guarding a prisoner with firearms." The spree of arrests comes as glamorous rapper dubbed the "Barbie Bandit" was arrested in a dramatic police raid targeting a massive dark web drugs operation. Maria L., 25, known for posing in Barbie-pink outfits and flaunting an assault rifle on social media, was seized by Russian cops in St Petersburg on May 15. The influencer-turned-trafficker is accused of helping run a slick online drugs shop — managing storage, distribution, and sales of illicit substances through the dark web. Photos online show the rapper in crop tops and doll-like makeup, living a flashy life that masked a far more dangerous double identity. Police said: 'She helped sell the drugs online and also managed their storage and distribution.' During the raid, cops uncovered laptops, mobile phones, and a 'significant' stash of chemicals used to make hallucinogens — along with scales and other manufacturing gear. 6 6 6
CTV News
16-06-2025
- CTV News
‘Violent' crime group linked to extortion attempts and dozens of staged collisions in GTA, police say
A total of 18 people taken into custody in connection with a Peel Regional Police investigation into extortion are shown. (Peel Regional Police) Peel police say they have dismantled a violent criminal organization that attempted to extort hundreds of thousands of dollars from members of the community and defraud insurance companies by staging collisions across GTA roadways. Details of the investigation, dubbed Project Outsource, were announced at a news conference in Peel Region on Monday morning. According to investigators, 18 people have been arrested and are facing a total of nearly 100 charges in the probe, which was launched in July 2024. The investigation was launched by the police service's extortion investigation task force in response to a 'sharp' rise in violent extortions in 2023 that targeted members of the South Asian business community, Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah told reporters on Monday. 'The threats escalated into a variety of different offences, including drive-by shootings, arsons, a variety of acts of violence that spread fear and insecurity,' he said. Det. Brian Lorette, who led the task force, said a Brampton-based group was identified as the perpetrators of a 'significant portion' of these crimes, as well as 'offences in the towing industry.' In addition to the extortion attempts, police said the group was responsible for staging 'dozens' of collisions on GTA roadways in an effort to defraud insurance companies. Lorette would not provide specific information about the incidents uncovered during the investigation but said the staged collisions were 'fraudulent in every aspect.' 'They start at the planning stage. These are collisions that are often happening on our roadways, which obviously have a public safety impact, sometimes including police, ambulance and fire attending the scene,' he said. 'They continue the fraud all the way through the reporting and through the insurance industry to reap the material benefits of the fraud.' Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said in total, the fraudulent claims exceeded $1 million. An estimated $4.2 million worth of assets were seized as part of the probe, including 18 tow trucks, police noted. The trucks, Lorette said, were 'some of the tools' used 'to commit their offences.' The suspects, police said, were believed to be associated with towing companies operating under the names Certified Roadside and Humble Roadside. Four high-end personal vehicles, five stolen vehicles, six firearms, 600 rounds of ammunition, two bulletproof vests, and $45,000 in Canadian currency were also seized as part of the investigation. The seizures occurred during the execution of 67 search warrants in Peel Region, Caledon, York Region, and Toronto on June 10, Lorette added. The investigation was conducted with the assistance of other GTA police forces, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). 'This investigation is still ongoing and we anticipate further arrests and charges,' Lorette said. 'We believe the guns and tow trucks seized during this investigation as well as the arrests made will have a significant impact on our region as well as across the GTA and throughout Canada.'
CBC
08-05-2025
- CBC
5 suspects charged in record-setting $3 million Edmonton drug bust
After a year-long investigation, five suspects have been charged in what police say is the largest cocaine seizure in Edmonton. In a Wednesday news release, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) said the charges are connected to the April 2024 seizure of more than 27 kilograms of cocaine and other drugs, with an estimated street-level value of $3 million. The drugs were found during a search of a home in the west Edmonton neighbourhood of Lewis Estates. Along with the 27 kilograms of cocaine, ALERT said it also found five kilograms of MDMA — a recreational drug also known as ecstasy or molly — along with almost four kilograms of a suspected cocaine buffing agent and $19,000 in cash. Initially, one person was arrested but no charges were laid. Following a full investigation, five individuals were charged on April 21 with offences including participation in the activities of a criminal organization, conspiracy to traffic drugs, drug trafficking and money laundering, ALERT said in the statement. "Following last year's drug seizure, our investigative team was able to conduct a thorough investigation and identify the suspects responsible," said Insp. Angela Kemp with ALERT Edmonton. "We now have significant charges put before the courts in the hopes of holding this organized crime group accountable." ALERT alleges that the suspects are part of an organized crime group that has been involved in drug trafficking in the Edmonton region, as well as Grande Prairie, Alta., and in Saskatchewan. The suspects are scheduled to appear in court on May 22.
Associated Press
07-05-2025
- Associated Press
Brazilian police arrest 4 suspected of quadruple homicide on a soccer pitch
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian police arrested three young adults and one 15-year-old who are suspected of killing four people during a shootout on a soccer pitch in the northeastern city of Fortaleza, authorities said Wednesday. The quadruple homicide occurred late on Tuesday in the same area where two sisters who were influencers were killed on May 1. Local media have reported a series of violent episodes in reaction to their deaths, including another shootout on a soccer field with no fatalities, a vandalized bus, protests and shuttered schools. Tuesday's victims were playing soccer when armed people invaded the pitch and fired dozens of shots, killing two on site. The other two later died from their injuries, local news outlet G1 reported. Military police later arrested three individuals aged 18, 19 and 22, with prior convictions for attempted murder, robbery and drug trafficking, the secretariat for public safety and social defense said in a statement. They now face charges of homicide, being part of a criminal organization, illegal possession of a firearm and corruption of a minor. A 15-year-old was also taken into custody. An investigation is underway. The secretariat said the military police will increase its presence in the area for an indefinite period. ____ Follow AP's coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at
