An investigation by U.S. Homeland Security led to charges for six people at a personal care company in South Portland who are accused of defrauding MaineCare.

Noora Abd, owner of Community Home Health Care, along with five employees are accused of billing for services that were never provided.

The group was taken into custody on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

They face charges including healthcare fraud conspiracy, obstructing a health care fraud investigation and making false statements.

The claims date back as far as 2020, when prosecutors say Abd submitted claims related to one client totaling more than $600,000.

“Health care 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 health care system for your own financial gain, you too, will be shut down and brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew B. Benson.

For a charge of healthcare fraud conspiracy, each defendant faces up to 10 years behind bars and a fine of $250,000 or twice the total loss resulting from the fraudulent claims.