Capture of a $1.2 B Medicare Fraud Suspect in the Philippines

Herbert Leon Kimble, 60, a Chicago native, was arrested in the Philippines in June 2026 after evading U.S. authorities for two years. Kimble had pled guilty in April 2019 to a $1.2 billion Medicare fraud scheme that used an offshore call center to sell orthotic braces to Medicare beneficiaries. He missed a sentencing date on Oct. 7, 2024, and was placed on the FBI’s newly created “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list. His capture is the second removal from that list within two weeks.

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From 2014 to April 2019, Kimble ran an offshore call center that advertised orthotic braces via TV and internet. Medicare beneficiaries who called a 1-800 number were screened, persuaded to buy braces, and linked to a telemedicine provider whose physicians issued prescriptions without confirming medical necessity. The 2019 indictment listed charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, healthcare fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, false claims, and kickbacks. The U.S. Justice Department created the “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list under the National Fraud Enforcement Division as part of President Donald Trump’s “Task Force to Eliminate Fraud,” led by Vice President JD Vance.

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• 2014–2019: Offshore call center launched; Kimble pleaded guilty to a $1.2 billion Medicare fraud conspiracy.

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• Oct 7 2024 – Missed sentencing; Early Jun 2026 – Added to Most Wanted list.

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• Mid-Jun 2026 – Arrested in the Philippines and extradited to the U.S.

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• Jun 2026 – Said Abdullahi Ereg, another list target, captured for child-nutrition program fraud.

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FBI Director Kash Patel noted two arrests within two weeks of the list’s launch. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the capture shows the administration’s commitment to pursuing fraudsters who flee the United States. Vice President JD Vance credited the list for enabling the arrests.

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• “In just over two weeks, this is the second Most Wanted Fraudster arrested on the FBI’s list led by Vice President Vance and the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud,” — Kash Patel, FBI Director

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• “If you defraud the American people, we will find you and we will bring you to justice.” — Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General

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• “Instead of facing accountability for his $1.2 billion Medicare fraud crimes in the United States, Kimble fled to the Philippines hoping to escape justice,” — Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General

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• “That plan failed. Under President Trump’s leadership, this FBI has now apprehended two fraudsters from its recently unveiled Most Wanted Fraudster list in just two weeks, with more to come.” — Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General

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Officials cite the arrests as proof that the Most Wanted Fraudsters list and the Task Force can disrupt fraud. The captures may guide funding toward fraud probes and shape coordination.

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