(The Center Square) — Federal authorities have charged six individuals in Maine with allegedly defrauding the federal government by submitting false claims for home care services they didn't provide.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maine announced Tuesday that a federal grand jury indicted six individuals and Community Home healthcare, LLC on charges of healthcare fraud conspiracy. Two of the defendants also face charges of obstructing a healthcare fraud investigation, while another was charged with making false statements, authorities said.

"Healthcare fraud – in all its forms – costs all of us, and today’s arrests should make it clear that if, as alleged in the indictment returned last week, you steal from our healthcare system for your own financial gain, you too, will be shut down and brought to justice," U.S. Attorney for Maine Andrew Benson said in a statement. "Protecting the integrity of all our federally funded healthcare programs for those who really need them is paramount."

The investigation, which was overseen by the Homeland Security Task Force, revealed that since 2020 the company and its principals submitted numerous false claims to MaineCare for personal care services purportedly provided to a single client totaling more than $600,000 for services that were never delivered.

The six individuals charged with healthcare fraud conspiracy include Noora Abd, a/k/a “Um Mohammed,” 37, Faysal Kalayaf Manahe, a/k/a “Abu Aziz,” 51, Adel Al Rashid, a/k/a “Abu Ayman,” 47, Sura Almohammed, a/k/a “Um Ayman,” 47, Ether Alyaseen, 46, Mohammed Alkhalaf, a/k/a “Abu Stayf,” 41, the DOJ said.

Noora Abd and Faysal Kalayaf Manahe are also charged with obstructing a healthcare fraud investigation while Mohammed Alkhalaf is charged with making false statements, authorities said.

If convicted, the suspects could face up to 10 years in prison while the federal obstruction and false statement charges each carry a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison.

"Today’s arrests have dismantled an elaborate alleged fraud ring dedicated to fleecing a system meant to help those in need. Instead of taxpayer funds paying for the care of our friends and neighbors, these six individuals are accused of fabricating services and pocketing the money to enrich themselves," Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Grimming said in a statement.

"When criminals commit healthcare fraud, they’re not just stealing from the government, they’re stealing from each and every American taxpayer," he said.

The arrests are the latest in the Trump administration's ongoing "war on fraud," which in Maine has focused largely on public benefit programs, including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps.

Maine House Republicans issued a statement welcoming the arrests and calling on federal authorities to continue digging deeper into fraudulent activity in the state's federally funded public benefit programs.

"For years, Maine House Republicans have warned about fraud in the MaineCare system and pushed for those in charge to investigate and prosecute," the statement said. "Today's announcement is only the tip of the iceberg. Justice must prevail for the people who rely on the program and the Maine taxpayers who fund it."