FBI Nabs First Suspect from New ‘Most Wanted Scammers’ List
In a significant development, the FBI has apprehended a fugitive believed to be behind a staggering $1.2 billion Medicare fraud scheme. This suspect, Herbert Leon Kimble, has been captured overseas and returned to the U.S., marking him as the second individual caught from the FBI’s newly established “Most Wanted Fraud” list.
Federal officials confirmed that Kimble, aged 60, was arrested in the Philippines after allegedly avoiding capture for nearly two years. Prosecutors claim he was at the center of a healthcare fraud operation that not only generated over $1.2 billion in Medicare costs but also impacted thousands of beneficiaries, particularly elderly individuals. Reports indicate that Kimble’s scheme involved directing patients to medically unnecessary orthopedic braces via a call center.
Back in 2019, Kimble had already pleaded guilty to various federal offenses, which included conspiracy to defraud the government, healthcare fraud, and other related charges.
Just recently, a federal arrest warrant had to be issued for him after he didn’t show up for his scheduled sentencing hearing in August 2024, leading to an international manhunt.
The recent arrests come shortly after the Department of Justice unveiled a list of “Most Wanted Fraudsters,” aimed at publicly showcasing those charged with serious fraud offenses. Not long before Kimble’s arrest, Saeed Abdullahi Eleg, a 47-year-old suspect wanted for wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies, became the first person detained from this list.
“In under three weeks, we’ve managed to catch the second most-wanted fraudster from our new list,” tweeted FBI Director Kash Patel. He emphasized that Kimble had been evading authorities since 2024 for orchestrating this extensive fraud targeting the Medicare system and, crucially, vulnerable elderly victims from 2014 to 2019.
Patel reaffirmed the FBI’s commitment to executing President Trump’s directives to combat fraud and safeguard taxpayer funds.
Moreover, these arrests follow the establishment of the National Fraud Enforcement Office, supporting President Trump’s Task Force to Combat Fraud, which is led by Vice President J.D. Vance. Vance had expressed that the creation of the Most Wanted Fraud List played a pivotal role in aiding the investigation that led to Kimble’s capture. His message was straightforward: “If you deceive the American people, we will find you and bring you to justice.”
Vance, highlighting the severity of Kimble’s actions—exploiting seniors and costing taxpayers a significant sum—stated the collaboration between the task force and the FBI was decisive in apprehending one of the nation’s most wanted fraudsters. The Philippine authorities contributed significantly to this effort following the public release of the list.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche expressed that attempting to flee the United States won’t provide an escape from justice, reiterating that Kimble’s plans were thwarted. He commended the rapid progress being made in capturing fraudsters, noting the recent arrests as just the beginning.
