Green Card Holder Charged in Immigration Fraud Scheme

Authorities say Young Joo Ko produced fake medical forms for green card applicants

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:25pm

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An extreme close-up of a stack of medical forms and documents, lit by a harsh, direct flash, conveying a stark, gritty investigative mood around the alleged immigration fraud scheme.Federal authorities allege a green card holder exploited the immigration medical examination process through fraudulent documentation.Los Angeles Today

A 59-year-old green card holder from South Korea was arrested in Los Angeles on federal charges of fraud and misuse of immigration documents. Authorities allege that Young Joo Ko falsely presented herself as a medical professional and, for a fee, prepared and submitted fraudulent immigration medical examination forms on behalf of green card applicants, even though no actual examinations had been conducted.

Why it matters

The Trump administration has taken a more aggressive approach to combating alleged fraud in federal health care programs and the immigration system, which officials say can increase costs for taxpayers. This case is part of a broader crackdown on immigration-related fraud in the Los Angeles area.

The details

According to court documents and an affidavit, Ko engaged in a scheme exploiting the green card application process by producing fraudulent immigration medical documents. Applicants for permanent residence are required to undergo medical examinations conducted by USCIS-approved civil surgeons, but investigators say Ko falsely claimed to be a nurse or doctor and, for a fee, prepared and submitted forms indicating that green card applicants had completed the required medical exams when no such exams had actually been performed.

  • On April 2, authorities announced a coordinated crackdown in the Los Angeles area involving eight arrests and about $50 million in alleged fraudulent billing tied to Medicare and related programs, including hospice care, union health plans and immigration medical documentation cases.
  • Ko was arrested as part of the April 2 operation.

The players

Young Joo Ko

A 59-year-old green card holder from South Korea who was arrested in Los Angeles and charged with fraud and misuse of immigration documents.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

The immigration benefits agency that detected the fraud and referred the case to federal investigators.

Homeland Security Investigations

A subdivision of Immigration and Customs Enforcement that is conducting the investigation along with IRS Criminal Investigation and USCIS.

Bill Essayli

A first assistant United States attorney who said the government is enforcing a "zero-tolerance policy for criminals who defraud American taxpayers."

Akil Davis

The assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, who said the Southern California region is a "high-risk environment" for health care fraud.

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What they’re saying

“Ko presented herself as a nurse or doctor and, for a fee, fraudulently prepared forms indicating Green Card applicants fulfilled their medical examination requirements.”

— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

“We are enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for criminals who defraud American taxpayers.”

— Bill Essayli, First Assistant United States Attorney

“The Southern California region is a high-risk environment for hospice-related and many other forms of health care fraud. The United States loses hundreds of billions of dollars annually to health care fraud at the expense of all American taxpayers, whose benefits decrease as premiums, co-payments and taxes grow.”

— Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge, FBI Los Angeles Field Office

What’s next

If convicted, Ko faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

The takeaway

This case highlights the federal government's ongoing crackdown on alleged fraud in the immigration system and health care programs, which officials say cost taxpayers billions of dollars annually.