Córdoba: there are now 39 people detained for scams against Apross

The District 1, 6th Shift Prosecutor's Office, headed by José Bringas, ordered two new arrests for fraud against Apross in Córdoba. The individuals involved allegedly operated from a mutual association related to police officers and former police officers, falsifying medical consultations for payment. The complaint was filed by Apross's Anti-Fraud Office following the digitization of administrative processes.

According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, the recent arrests took place after the joint work of the Special Commission for Investigation and Prevention of Fraud. This commission is made up of the Directorate of Operational Investigations, personnel from the Scientific Police, and Apross's Fraud Prevention area. The new defendants allegedly held positions in administrative and billing tasks within the mutual association under investigation.

The schemes included the validation and billing of medical consultations that were never performed, breaching the Health Insurance validation system. This resulted in improper payments through the executing entity, which acted as a front for the organization. So far in 2024, 39 people have already been arrested in cases of fraud against Apross.

The investigation into medication fraud moves forward

The secretary of the prosecutor's office, Pablo Di Francesca, explained that an operation involving fake prescriptions is also under investigation. In this case, 54 complaints have been filed so far. Further charges are not ruled out within the framework of a highly organized criminal network.

Everything began with the discovery of expired medications, counterfeit blister packs, and fake boxes during raids. It is believed that the illegal prints were produced in print shops for subsequent distribution in the illegal market. Some of these products were sold in kiosks and convenience stores, according to the judicial official.

The system operated by stealing personal data from Apross members, including information about conditions such as diabetes. With that information, they forged electronic prescriptions with altered stamps and signatures to obtain medications from pharmacies. Later, those drugs were diverted to the black market without the real owners' knowledge.

Stolen data and forged prescriptions: this is how the organization operated

According to the prosecutor's office, the operation was not improvised, but rather followed a professional criminal structure. Precise information was obtained from members, including, as mentioned, their membership number, illnesses, and prescribed medications. Everything was combined with the falsification of documentation and the use of fake IDs to collect the drugs.

One of the frequent cases involved people with diabetes who, when going to pick up their insulin, discovered it had already been collected. After filing the complaint, it was determined that their data had been used to forge the prescription and collect the medication. Di Francesca clarified that "the member was completely unaware of this operation" and highlighted the complexity of the scheme.

The network operated with streamlined logistics and knew exactly which pharmacies to visit to collect the drugs. There are no official details on whether there was internal complicity in the businesses, but the prosecutor's office is moving forward in determining all the connections. Tracking the traceability of the medications is one of the main focuses of the ongoing investigation.

A multimillion-dollar loss for the province's health insurance

The schemes under investigation allegedly extended from 2017 to 2024, with a direct impact on Apross's accounts. The prosecutor's office did not provide exact figures, but acknowledged that the financial loss for the province is "in the millions." In some cases, assets were seized in an attempt to recover the defrauded money.

Di Francesca indicated that each case is analyzed in detail to avoid mistakes, especially when doctors are harmed by the forgery of their signature. "We're working meticulously to achieve better results in the coming days," he stated. The investigation also seeks to determine whether there are institutions within the health system involved.

The complexity of the case required a joint approach between the Judiciary and Apross, with prior intelligence work. Arrests could continue to accumulate as the case progresses and those responsible are identified. The priority now is to identify the full scope of the network and its financing.