# US‑Turkey Medicare fraud extradition & DOJ crackdown

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/usturkey-medicare-fraud-extradition
> Updated: 2026-06-28T09:46:22.000Z. Sources: 49. Developments: 4.

On 22 June 2026 Turkish authorities transferred Ibrahim Khaldoon Hilmi to the FBI after his capture in Turkey; he is accused of orchestrating a $3.7 billion Medicare equipment‑fraud scheme. The same day the Department of Justice launched a two‑week “National Health Care Fraud Takedown,” filing charges against 455 defendants in 45 states and territories for more than $6.5 billion in false Medicare, Medicaid and other government health‑care claims. The operation, described by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche as the largest combined federal‑state effort ever, suspended 1,079 providers, revoked billing privileges for 1,403 clinicians and seized over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry and other assets. Among the indictments were high‑profile fugitives Khalid Satary and Emylee Thai, placed on the FBI’s Most‑Wanted list. Satary, alleged to have defrauded Medicare of $547 million through diagnostic‑lab scams, is believed to be hiding in the United Arab Emirates; Thai is accused of a $95 million genetic‑testing scheme and is thought to be in Vietnam. A separate high‑profile case involves Texas cardiologist Dr. Jason Finkelstein, charged with an $89 million scheme that billed insurers for unnecessary cardiovascular screenings of college athletes, one of which preceded a student’s death. The takedown also featured coordinated arrests in Cyprus, Estonia and the Philippines. Further details released on 28 June 2026 showed that of the 455 individuals charged, 90 were licensed physicians. In Montana, three separate cases were disclosed: Victoria Davenport of Great Falls faced two counts of Medicaid fraud for filing more than $2.3 million in false claims; Allison Watt of Billings was charged with $249,000 in fraudulent billing; and Laural Suydam of Helena was convicted of $3,790 in improper reimbursements. Authorities highlighted the use of unlicensed staff and fabricated documentation, emphasizing both financial restitution and enforcement of professional licensing standards. HHS Secretary Robert F.

## Timeline

### 2026-06-28: US Federal Health Care Fraud Crackdown Arrests 455 Defendants Including 90 Doctors

Federal agencies arrested 455 people, including 90 doctors, in a nationwide health‑care fraud bust; Montana officials added three arrests, one involving $2.3 million in Medicaid fraud.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-federal-health-care-fraud-crackdown-arrests-455-defendants-including-90-doctors

### 2026-06-25: U.S. Justice Dept. Announces $6.5 B Healthcare Fraud Sweep Targeting 455 Defendants

The DOJ’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown charged 455 defendants, including 90 doctors, for over $6.5 billion in false claims; Texas cardiologist Jason Finkelstein faces an $89 million scheme after he

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-justice-dept-announces-65-b-healthcare-fraud-sweep-targeting-455-defendants

### 2026-06-24: U.S. Justice Department charges 455 in $6.5 billion health‑insurance fraud scheme

U.S. DOJ indicts 455 people in a $6.5 billion health‑insurance fraud, the largest such case, including doctors and two fugitives linked to genetic‑testing scams.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-justice-department-charges-455-in-65-billion-healthinsurance-fraud-scheme

### 2026-06-22: U.S. Justice Department charges 455 in $6.5 B health‑care fraud takedown

The DOJ charged 455 people in a $6.5 billion health‑care fraud takedown, suspending providers, seizing $182 million in assets and arresting fugitives Hilmi (captured in Turkey) and Satary (added to FBI Most‑W​​

43 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fbi-extradites-37-b-medicare-fraud-suspect-ibrahim-hilmi-from-turkey

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Cite as: US‑Turkey Medicare fraud extradition & DOJ crackdown. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/usturkey-medicare-fraud-extradition