Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the Treasury Department has gathered more than 700 tips via its reporting portal, coinciding with new measures to combat fraud within Medicare, Medicaid, and other government healthcare systems.

Bessent likened the administration’s expanding anti-fraud campaign to the public safety mantra, “if you see something, say something.” He emphasized that financial institutions are now serving as the “front line in identifying financial fraud.”

Rising Suspicious Activity Reports

Under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, suspicious activity reports have increased by 20 percent. Secretary Bessent highlighted concerning patterns, such as large, round-number wire transfers originating from nonprofits like hospice providers and daycare centers.

The Treasury Department is actively investigating the “over 700 leads” generated through its dedicated portal. Furthermore, Bessent confirmed that the government is prepared to offer whistleblowers “up to a 30% reward for the recovered funds.”

FinCEN Targets Organized Crime in Healthcare Schemes

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau within the Treasury, issued an advisory warning financial institutions about organized and transnational criminal groups. These groups are reportedly using shell companies and straw owners to submit fraudulent reimbursement claims against federal healthcare programs.

The advisory detailed that these schemes often involve substandard, unnecessary, or nonexistent medical care. Fraudsters secure federal payments by illicitly obtaining beneficiary identification numbers and offering kickbacks to complicit medical professionals.

  • Illicit proceeds are frequently laundered through wire transfers and digital assets.
  • Sometimes, insiders at financial institutions assist in moving the funds.

“President Trump has been clear that Americans have a right to know that their tax dollars are not being used to commit fraud,” Bessent stated in conjunction with the advisory release. He affirmed that Treasury will continue to disrupt fraud schemes and hold perpetrators accountable alongside law enforcement partners.

New Whistleblower Program Formalized

Treasury officials noted that healthcare-related suspicious activity reports rose 20 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, though they cautioned this figure likely underrepresents the true scope of nationwide fraud.

The advisory was issued in collaboration with the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services inspector general, urging rapid reporting of suspicious transactions. FinCEN is now proposing formal rules for a comprehensive whistleblower program.

Proposed Rewards and Protections

This proposed program aims to compensate individuals providing actionable tips regarding fraud, money laundering, sanctions violations, and other financial crimes. As previewed by Bessent during a Minnesota visit, eligible whistleblowers could receive between ten and 30 percent of the monetary penalties collected in successful enforcement actions.

FinCEN stated the rules will establish both “protections for whistleblowers that provide information to FinCEN” and “procedures for whistleblowers to provide information.” A confidential tip portal launched in February is already operational.

The Treasury confirmed that any awards paid out would be funded through penalties recovered under the Bank Secrecy Act and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This initiative comes as federal investigators intensify scrutiny on Minnesota's escalating fraud scandals involving human services, food assistance, and child care funds.