Indictment in Medicare Fraud Case

A federal court in Chicago indicted two Pakistani nationals on Thursday for their alleged involvement in a Medicare fraud scheme totaling $10 million, as announced by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Burzan Mirza and Kashif Iqbal reportedly utilized “designated proprietary laboratories” and “durable medical equipment providers” to submit fraudulent Medicare and insurance claims for services and products that were never delivered.

Mirza, 31, residing in Pakistan, is accused of illegally obtaining identifying details of individuals and healthcare providers without consent, using that information to back claims made through companies he controlled. Iqbal, 48, living in Lavon, Texas, is linked to multiple durable medical equipment providers that filed fraudulent claims. The indictment asserts Iqbal also laundered the ill-gotten gains and facilitated their transfer to Pakistan.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that combating fraud is a key objective for the DOJ. He remarked that instead of benefiting from these schemes, the alleged offenders effectively siphoned funds meant for healthcare services for seniors and individuals with disabilities in the U.S. He stated, “We will not tolerate these schemes that divert taxpayer dollars to criminals.”

Andrew Boutros, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, highlighted that the accused stole from American taxpayers supporting healthcare promises. He noted that the newly established Healthcare Fraud Unit at the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office would collaborate with law enforcement to curb such fraudulent activities, which complicate care for legitimate patients.

The indictment specifies that Mirza faces five counts of money laundering and twelve counts of healthcare fraud, while Iqbal is charged with one count of false statements to U.S. law enforcement, six counts of money laundering, and twelve counts of healthcare fraud.