Health care fraud schemes exposed and more

Leader of $42 million elder fraud scheme pleads guilty

The leader of a money-laundering cell in San Diego pleaded guilty in federal court to helping facilitate a $42 million international elder fraud scheme. The cell leader, Victor Marion, admitted to mail and wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering along with 21 alleged coconspirators.

The San Diego scheme was part of a long‑running call-center operation based in Dubai and India that targeted older adults across the U.S. Marion and his coconspirators lured victims with fake technical support pop‑up ads and posed as representatives of companies such as Microsoft or McAfee.

After charging victims a fee for fake tech-support services, scammers then used remote desktop tools to make it look as if they’d refunded thousands of dollars to victims. Victims were then pressured to mail or wire the fake “overpayments,” to U.S.-based money transmitters, including the laundering outfit led by Marion.

Health care fraud schemes targeted in U.S.