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.
