FBI Captures Fugitive Linked to Major Medicare Fraud

After a global manhunt, the FBI has apprehended Khalid Ahmed Satary, a fugitive from its “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list. He is accused of stealing over half a billion dollars from Medicare.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced Satary’s arrest via social media, highlighting it as a significant achievement in their ongoing initiative against fraud.

“The arrest of Khalid Ahmed Satary and his return to the U.S. marks the third capture of a Most Wanted Fraudster by the FBI and our partners in just five weeks, underscoring our success with this initiative,” he stated.

Satary was indicted in 2019 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on multiple counts, including healthcare fraud and conspiracy related to wire fraud. He allegedly swindled around $547 million between 2016 and 2019.

He is accused of tricking Medicare into paying for unnecessary genetic tests through deceptive marketing tactics, illegal kickbacks, and bribes.

“Satary had been evading capture since 2022, but we were able to bring him back thanks to excellent coordination among international agencies,” Patel added. “This is yet another demonstration of the commitment of the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. It also marks the 27th high-value target returned from abroad by the FBI since June.”

The FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list was initiated on June 4 as part of efforts to combat fraud that exploits American taxpayers.

Satary’s case is one of the largest healthcare fraud schemes charged by the Department of Justice (DOJ), leading to his placement on this list.

According to the DOJ, he worked with telemedicine companies and call centers, employing deceptive marketing to generate genetic test samples that cost the government $10,000 to $20,000 each. Authorities have seized 16 bank accounts tied to this fraudulent operation.

“This individual allegedly executed a massive fraud scheme targeting thousands of elderly patients, deceiving them into undergoing costly, unnecessary tests while fraudulently billing the government for over half a billion dollars,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Thanks to our partners at the FBI, he has been brought back to face justice in the U.S. Our message is clear: if you defraud American taxpayers and take advantage of vulnerable patients, we’ll find you—wherever you are.”

“Medicare fraud disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, resulting in millions lost to taxpayers,” remarked U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “In this case, the defendant allegedly deceived elderly and disabled individuals nationwide into participating in a fraudulent scheme. Additionally, he further demonstrated a disregard for the law by fleeing the country instead of attending a court hearing. His eventual capture reflects the DOJ’s unwavering dedication to safeguarding taxpayer funds and prosecuting those who breach public trust.”

Just days after launching the new Most Wanted list, the FBI arrested Abdullahi Ereg, involved in a $4 million scheme against the Federal Child Nutrition Program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another suspect listed, Herbert Leon Kimble, was arrested shortly thereafter in the Philippines for allegedly orchestrating a $1.2 billion healthcare fraud conspiracy aimed at elderly victims from 2014 to 2019.

The FBI had offered a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to Satary’s arrest and conviction.