Full Breakdown
US Pursues Pakistani Nationals Over $703 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme
9/8/2026, 3:50:38 AM
Alleged Fraud Operation and U.S. Investigation
Federal authorities are seeking four Pakistani nationals—Fizza Farid, Faizan Saleem, Shearyar Arif and Ruknuddin “Rick” Charolia—who are accused of running a call center in Pakistan called Hello International Marketing Solutions (HIMS). According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the group obtained Medicare beneficiary identification numbers through hacking, web-scraping and deceptive websites that pretended to offer free health products. The stolen data was then used to file fraudulent claims for over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits, durable medical equipment and genetic tests that beneficiaries neither requested nor received. Federal prosecutors in the Northern District of Illinois allege the scheme generated roughly $703.8 million in false claims, of which Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans paid about $418.6 million.
Financial Scope of the Scheme
The alleged fraud resulted in more than $703 million in fraudulent Medicare submissions. Payments to the fraudulent claims totaled approximately $418.6 million, while U.S. authorities seized about $44.7 million from bank accounts linked to the operation.
Use of Technology and Laundering Tactics
Prosecutors say HIMS employed artificial-intelligence tools to create audio recordings that falsely appeared to show beneficiaries consenting to receive COVID-19 test kits. The defendants are also accused of laundering the proceeds through U.S. bank accounts and transferring funds overseas to obscure the money’s origin and control.
International Response
An intelligence source in Islamabad reported that Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency and other intelligence bodies have been instructed to prioritize the investigation and to apprehend the suspects if they are located in the country.
Ongoing Legal Actions
The case stems from the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. Prosecutors allege that Farid acted as a nominee owner of a durable-medical-equipment provider and fled the United States for Pakistan in late April 2025. Charolia is alleged to have operated HIMS alongside Aamir Ali Arif. U.S. officials continue to seek the fugitives’ arrest and to pursue further asset forfeiture as the investigation proceeds.
