The Department of Justice charged more than 400 people with engaging in COVID-19 scams worth over $500 million.
Four-hundred and seventy-four defendants were charged with criminal offenses related to fraudulent schemes that attempted to obtain over $569 million from the U.S. government and unsuspecting victims, the department said on Friday. The cases were brought in 56 federal districts.
80-YEAR-OLD PLEADS GUILTY IN HOSPICE FRAUD SCHEME, WILL PAY $2.2M
“The Department of Justice has led an historic enforcement initiative to detect and disrupt COVID-19 related fraud schemes,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said. “The impact of the department’s work to date sends a clear and unmistakable message to those who would exploit a national emergency to steal taxpayer-funded resources from vulnerable individuals and small businesses. We are committed to protecting the American people and the integrity of the critical lifelines provided for them by Congress, and we will continue to respond to this challenge.”
The DOJ has monitored and investigated claims of fraud regarding coronavirus-related scams since Congress passed the $2.2 trillion economic relief bill in March 2020.
The department has monitored the Paycheck Protection Program, the Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and unemployment insurance.
Dinesh Sah, 55, of Texas, pleaded guilty to a scheme awarding him more than $17 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans, which he then allegedly used to purchase multiple homes in Texas, pay off the mortgages on other homes in California, and buy a handful of cars, including a Bentley convertible.
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“To anyone thinking of using the global pandemic as an opportunity to scam and steal from hardworking Americans, my advice is simple — don’t,” said acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas McQuaid of the DOJ’s Criminal Division. “No matter where you are or who you are, we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
More than 140 defendants have been charged with federal offenses related to unemployment insurance fraud.
