Authorities name fugitives allegedly involved in scheme using stolen beneficiary data and AI-generated consent; suspects believed to be in Pakistan or UAE.
US authorities are seeking information on four individuals accused of orchestrating a $703 million Medicare fraud scheme that allegedly relied on a call centre based in Pakistan.
Four Pakistanis Charged in Alleged Medicare Fraud Scheme:
The Office of Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG) identified the suspects as Fizza Farid, Faizan Saleem, Shearyar Arif and Ruknuddin “Rick” Charolia. Officials say the group is believed to be in Pakistan or the United Arab Emirates.
According to the HHS-OIG, the four allegedly used a Pakistan-based call centre operating under the name Hello International Marketing Solutions (HIMS) to obtain Medicare beneficiary information, including identification numbers, through theft and deception. The call centre then contacted beneficiaries to secure consent for medical products and services.
Prosecutors allege that false and fraudulent claims were submitted to Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans for over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits, durable medical equipment and genetic tests that were not requested by patients, not medically necessary, and in many cases never provided. In some instances, consent for the COVID-19 test kits was allegedly fabricated using artificial intelligence to generate fake patient voice recordings.
$703.8M Medicare Fraud Scheme Linked to Four Suspects:
Federal prosecutors in the Northern District of Illinois have linked the scheme to approximately $703.8 million in false claims. One of the named individuals, Fizza Farid, is described as having worked on behalf of the call centre and as a nominee owner of a durable medical equipment provider. Authorities believe she fled the United States for Pakistan in late April 2025.
The HHS-OIG has stressed that the charges remain allegations and that the suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The case forms part of broader US efforts to combat healthcare fraud, including the Department of Justice’s national health care fraud enforcement actions.
The alleged operation highlights growing concerns about the use of overseas call centres and emerging technologies such as AI in large-scale financial and healthcare fraud targeting US government programmes. US officials continue to appeal for information that could assist in locating the four individuals.
As investigations proceed, the case underscores the transnational nature of modern fraud networks and the challenges of pursuing suspects across international borders.