CAPITAL REGION, NY (WRGB) — The Department of Justice and the FBI announced the results of a nationwide health care fraud crackdown, resulting in over 400 arrests across the country.
The initiative is the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Crackdown.
The arrests included 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals. These arrests were of individuals who allegedly participated in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes.
Some of these schemes are happening right here in the Albany area.
“These vital government programs are designed to help people access the care they need,” said FBI Albany Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli. “They are not designed so crooked criminals can line their own pockets.”
In the Capital Region, Joseph Carl, 55, of Clifton Park, and Randolph “Randy” Ekstrom, 48, of Canajoharie, managed Carl’s Cabs out of Clifton Park.
They’ve been charged with conspiracy…
THE ISUZU MOTORS PAYROLL FRAUD (GQEBERHA, SA)
Date: February 16, 2026 Perpetrator: Natasja Slabbert (42)
Case Description: In a case that hit home for the Eastern Cape business community, Natasja Slabbert, a payroll administrator at Isuzu Motors South Africa’s Struandale plant, was arrested for an alleged R10.5 million fraud. The scheme, which began surfacing in late 2024, exploited the very systems designed to manage employee compensation. Slabbert allegedly manipulated payroll records to create false entries that appeared as legitimate deductions and contributions on employee payslips. In reality, these “deductions” were being diverted into her personal bank account.
The fraud was only uncovered after diligent employees noticed that their net “take-home” pay was significantly lower than expected, despite the gross amounts on their payslips remaining high. Following a thorough probe by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team and the NPA’s Specialised Commercial Crime Unit, it was discovered that in August 2024 alone, over R626,000 was unlawfully transferred. Slabbert was granted bail of R5,000 on February 17, 2026, and the case has been postponed to later in the month for further legal proceedings. This case highlights the critical need for “segregation of duties” in payroll departments, as a single point of failure allowed for the systematic siphoning of millions over nearly two years.
Link to Original: PE Express – Isuzu Payroll Fraud