Jun.15, 2010, 6:44 PM

An alleged ring of Russian money launderers who reaped millions in phony insurance claims for medical equipment were rounded up today in an early morning raid at 12 offices in Brighton Beach, according to the US Attorney’s office.

Seventeen defendants were charged with filing at least $3 million in false claims with private insurance companies with no fault insurance plans for reimbursable medical equipment by billing well in excess of the price allegedly paid by the defendants.

In some cases, through their retail medical equipment companies, the equipment was never obtained.

As part of the multi-million dollar operation to hide their identities and the source of their income, the suspects laundered their checks by cashing them at check cashing stores.

One eyewitness said he was taking his son to school when he saw the FBI staking out the Dorsi Medical Supply company at 20 Avenue T.

The man said that the owner normally drove to work in a Range Rover and his girlfriend in Lexus SUV, but didn’t show up today.

In another location at the Kristar medical suppliers at 2081 E. 8th Street FBI agents were leaving with boxes.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the NYPD, FBI and the IRS agents were took paart in yesterday’s sweep.

The suspects, if convicted, face up to 20 years in prison.