Program Integrity Alliance

This week in fraud-related news: ??. ?????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???? ???????? ???????????????????????? ???? ?????????????? ‘????????????????’ ?????????????? ???????????????? (Federal News Network, November 22, 2024) Congressional Republicans announced the formation of a DOGE subcommittee to tackle federal waste, fraud, and abuse. The initiative, backed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, aims to cut $2 trillion in spending, drawing mixed reactions regarding its feasibility and impact on federal services. ??. ???????????????????? ?????????? ?????????????? ?????? $?????? ?????????? ???????????? (HHS OIG, November 22, 2024) The Department of Health and Human Services reported the indictment of a laboratory owner for orchestrating a $79 million Medicare fraud scheme. The charges underscore ongoing efforts to hold perpetrators of healthcare fraud accountable. ??. ?????? ???????????? ???????????????? ?????????????????? ???? ???????? ?????????????????????? ?????? ???????????? ?????????????????????????? ????????????????? (Federal News Network, November 22, 2024) A White House proposal seeks to eliminate clauses that limit liability for cybersecurity failures in software contracts. Advocates argue this would drive higher standards, while critics highlight the challenges of implementing such sweeping changes in the tech industry. 4. ???????? ??????????: ??.??. ???????????????????? ???? ???????????????? & ?????????? ???????????? ?????? ?????????????????????????? ?????????????? ???? ???? ???????????? ???????????????????? (U.S. Department of Commerce, November 20, 2024) This global initiative addresses AI risks such as fraud and impersonation by advancing research and promoting safety standards. The U.S. and international members are aligning efforts to mitigate synthetic content risks and safeguard AI innovation. 5. ???????????????????? ?????????????????? ???????????? ????-???????????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ?????????? ???????? (FedScoop, November 15, 2024) The AI Fraud Deterrence Act, introduced by Reps. Ted Lieu (D) and Kevin Kiley (R), aims to impose stricter penalties on individuals using AI for fraudulent activities such as wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering. Fines for offenses could double, with additional measures targeting AI misuse to enhance penalties and deter criminal activities. Find links to these articles and more on PIA's Pulse on Fraud Round-Up board on Feedly: https://lnkd.in/eGp5N28Y #FraudNews #PulseOnFraud #PIA #Cybersecurity #AI

This week in fraud-related news: ??. ?????????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????????????????? ?????????????? (Federal News Network, November 8, 2024) With Republicans retaking control of the Senate, Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is set to assume the chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), potentially positioning him to lead numerous investigations into government operations. ??. ?????????????? ?????????? ?????????????????? ?????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????? ?????????? (U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida, November 7, 2024) Kellis Dion Jackson, aka Chandler Dante Alexander, was sentenced to six years in prison for fraudulently using a Social Security number and theft of government benefits, defrauding the Social Security Administration out of over $46,000. ??. ?????? ???????????????????? ???????????? ?????????????????? ?????????????? ???? $??.?? ?????????????? ??????????-???? ?????????????? ?????????? (Department of Justice, November 5, 2024) Lisa Puente and Arthur Marquez were indicted for a scheme involving over 120 fraudulent unemployment insurance applications using stolen identities, including those of incarcerated individuals. The scheme led to the theft of approximately $2.1 million in COVID-19 relief funds. ??. ?????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ?????????????? ?????????? ???????????? ???? ???????????????? ?????? ???????????????? ?????????? ???????????? (U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Tennessee, November 4, 2024) Fadel Alshalabi and Samuel Harris were found guilty of orchestrating a multi-million-dollar kickback scheme, paying marketers for genetic test samples and submitting fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid claims. The conspiracy involved falsified telemedicine approvals and targeted vulnerable populations, resulting in over $100 million in false billing. ??. ?????????????? ??????. ???? ?????? $????.???? ?????????????? ?????? ???????????????? ?????????????? ???????????? (U.S. Department of Justice, November 4, 2024) Medisca Inc. agreed to pay $21.75 million to settle allegations of inflating prices for compounded prescription ingredients. The scheme caused fraudulent claims to federal healthcare programs like TRICARE. ??. ????. ?????????? ???????????? ?????????? ?????????????? ???? $?? ?????????????? ???????????????? ?????????? (U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Missouri, November 4, 2024) Camille S. Childress, owner of Inspiring Angels LLC, allegedly defrauded Missouri Medicaid by concealing her ownership due to a prior criminal conviction. Explore more fraud-related articles on PIA's Feedly board: https://lnkd.in/eGp5N28Y #pulseonfraud #pia #FraudNews #MedicareFraud #MedicaidFraud #COVID19Fraud #FalseClaimsAct #GovernmentOversight #HSGAC #HealthcareFraud #SocialSecurityFraud

This week in fraud-related news: ??. ???????????????? ????????????, ?????? ???????????? ?????????????????? ???? $??.?? ?????????????? ???????????????? ???????????? (Ohio Attorney General’s Office, October 31, 2024) A Columbus physician, Dr. Robert Florea, and his clinic were found guilty of Medicaid fraud for falsely claiming reimbursement for medical equipment. Although billing for over 5,100 items, Florea purchased only 460. The scheme caused a $1.5 million loss to Medicaid, with sentencing pending. ??. ?????? ???????????????????? ?????????????? ???????????????????? ?????????? ???? ???????????? ?????????????????????? (Federal News Network, October 31, 2024) Raytheon, a major U.S. defense contractor, agreed to pay nearly $1 billion to settle allegations of defective pricing, foreign bribery, and violations of the Arms Export Control Act. The case highlights ongoing issues of oversight in defense contracting, often reliant on whistleblowers to expose fraud. ??. ?????????? ?????????????????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????? ???? ?????????? ‘???????? ????????????’ ???? ?????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? (Federal News Network, October 30, 2024) The House Oversight Committee has urged the GAO to review improper payments across federal programs. With agencies experiencing high fraud levels, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, this investigation aims to improve transparency and fraud prevention in federal spending. ??. ?????? ?????? ???????????? ??????????????’?? ???? ?????????? ???? ???????? ?????? ???????????? ???? ???????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?? ?????????? (Federal News Network, October 30, 2024) The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General released a new five-year strategic plan focused on promoting integrity and efficiency across postal operations. The updated plan emphasizes transparency and innovative oversight to prevent fraud and waste in an agency with daily nationwide impact. ??. ???? ?????????????? ?? ?????? ???????????????????? ???? ?????????????? ???????????????? ?????????????? ???? ?????????????????????? ?????????????? (Nextgov, October 29, 2024) The DOJ charged six individuals with fraud in an IT contracting scheme involving bid-rigging and bribery. Among those implicated is Victor Marquez, whose companies manipulated bids to secure government contracts. The scheme reportedly defrauded government agencies, including those in the intelligence sector, of millions. Explore more fraud-related articles on PIA's Feedly board: https://lnkd.in/eGp5N28Y #pulseonfraud #pia #MedicaidFraud #DefenseContracting #GAO #PostalServiceIG #DOJ #FraudPrevention

This week in fraud-related news: ??. ?? ?????????????? ???????? ??????' ?????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ?????? ???????? (ExecutiveGov, October 23, 2024) The Department of Health and Human Services has unveiled a $1.7 trillion budget proposal for FY25, allocating $4.1 billion to combat health care fraud and abuse. This funding aims to bolster fraud prevention efforts across programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, reinforcing the detection and deterrence of fraudulent activities. ??. ?????????????? ???????????????????? ?????????????????? ???? ???? ???????????? ???? ???????????? ?????? ??????????, ?????????? ????????????????????, ?????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???? ?????????????????? ???????? (Department of Justice, October 24, 2024) Yuksel Senbol, 36, of Orlando, Florida, received a 15-month prison sentence for defrauding the U.S. government, laundering money, and illegally exporting sensitive military data. Senbol's actions included operating a front company, concealing the Turkish origin of military parts, and exporting controlled data without authorization, compromising U.S. military security. The investigation involved multiple federal agencies, and the scheme was disrupted when parts failed to meet military standards. ??. ?????? ?????????? ???? ?????????? ???????????? ?????? ???????????????? ?????????????? ?????????????????????? (Federal News Network, October 23, 2024) The Department of Justice has ramped up False Claims Act lawsuits by 54%, particularly targeting contractors accused of overbilling and submitting fraudulent small business certifications. This surge represents an effort to hold contractors accountable and recover misappropriated funds, especially within the defense and healthcare sectors. ??. ?????????? ?????? ?????????????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????: ?? ????????????-???????????????? ???????????????? (Journal of Economic Criminology, December 2024) A new study suggests categorizing fraud based on its effects on victims: Acute Impact Fraud (AIF) for cases with concentrated harm, Diffuse Impact Fraud (DIF) where losses are widely distributed, and Hybrid Impact Fraud (HIF) which combines elements of both. This framework aims to deepen the understanding of fraud's diverse impacts and guide tailored responses to mitigate damage. Explore more fraud-related articles on PIA's Feedly board: https://lnkd.in/eGp5N28Y. #pulseonfraud #pia #HHS #Doj #ExecutiveGov #FederalNewsNetwork #JournalofEconomicCriminology #fraudprevention #healthcarefraud

This week in fraud-related news: ???? ?????????? ???? ?????????? ?????????? ?????????????? ???????????????????? ???????? (?????????????? 13, 2024) In the aftermath of Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby, FEMA warns Floridians to be vigilant against identity theft and fraud. Scammers have reportedly used stolen information to apply for disaster aid, prompting FEMA to advise residents on how to verify and secure their applications. ?????? ???????????????? ???? ???????? ?????????????????? ???????????????? ?????????? ?????? ???????? ????????????, ?????? ?????????? ???????????????? (?????????????? 14, 2024) The Social Security Administration's electronic Consent Based Social Security Number Verification service, designed to combat synthetic identity fraud, has struggled to recoup its $62 million development costs. The GAO report highlighted the need for improved user engagement and cost recovery strategies. ???????? ??????????: ??.??. ???????????????????????? ???? ?????? ???????????? ?????????? ?????????????? ???????????????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????? (?????????????? 16, 2024) The Biden-Harris Administration announced significant progress in combating global corruption, including $1.7 billion recovered through DOJ’s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative. The administration emphasized international partnerships and policy reforms to curb money laundering and corporate bribery. ???????????????? ???????? $???? ???????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????? ????????, ?????????? ???? ???????????? ???????? ???? ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ?????????????? (?????????????? 17, 2024) The U.S. Treasury Department reported intercepting $4 billion in fraudulent payments in fiscal 2024, up from $650 million the previous year. With enhanced AI tools and risk-based transaction monitoring, Treasury aims to prevent $12 billion in annual improper payments by 2029. ??????????.?????? ???????????? ?????????????????? ???????????????????????? ?????? ???????? ??????????????????????, ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????? (?????????????? 18, 2024) A GAO report found that the GSA's Login.gov platform, used for identity verification across federal agencies, has issues with fraud controls and pricing transparency. The report urged GSA to address these technical challenges and improve the platform's compliance with identity proofing standards. Explore more fraud-related articles on PIA's Feedly board: PIA's Feedly board. #pulseonfraud #PIA #Treasury #SocialSecurity #FEMA #LoginGov #AntiCorruption #FraudPrevention

???This week in fraud-related news: ??. ???? ?????????? ???? ?????????? ?????????? ???????????????? ?????????? ???????????? [?????? ????????????] ?????????????? ?????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????? (?????????????? 8, 2024) Following Tropical Storm Helene, FEMA has warned residents to be cautious of fraud attempts. Scammers may use stolen identities to file for FEMA assistance, or pose as inspectors demanding personal or financial information. FEMA has provided resources to help victims report and prevent fraud. ??. ??????????.?????? ???????????? ?????????????????????? ???????????? ???????? ?????? ???????????????? ?????????????? ???????? ?????????????? (?????????????? 9, 2024) The GSA has approved the use of facial recognition for Login.gov, allowing users to verify their identities through secure biometric comparisons. This move aims to streamline access to government services while safeguarding against identity theft and fraud. ??. ???????????????? ???????????????????? ???? ???????????????? ?????????????? ?????????????????????? ???????????????? ?????????????????? ???? ?????????? ???? ???????????????????? ?????? ???????????? ???? ???????????? $?? ?????????????? ???????????????????? ???? ?????????????? (?????????????? 10, 2024) Ahmed Hassan, a former supervisory engineer at the VA, was convicted of wire fraud for submitting false invoices and defrauding the VA of almost $1 million. His scheme involved a fake company set up with his accomplice to siphon funds through fraudulent contracts over a seven-year period. Explore more fraud-related articles on PIA's Feedly board: https://lnkd.in/eGp5N28Y #fraudprevention #disasterfraud #digitalid #FEMA #GSA #DOJ #VA #pulseonfraud #pia #fraudnews

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In last week’s testimony before a subcommittee of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, PIA's Chair and Co-Founder, Linda Miller, voiced support for the development of a fraud scorecard to help lawmakers track agencies' performance in mitigating fraud risks effectively. We commend the committee's ambition in this area, and we look forward to continuing discussions to advance this important initiative. Check out the article linked below to read more about the scorecard and the hearing. And head over to the events page on PIA's website (https://lnkd.in/e8-VfsA4) for a replay and Linda's written testimony. #programintegrity #pia #fraud #fraudprevention #measurefraud https://lnkd.in/eAT3uYPm

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