Kazakhstan, Pakistan nationals charged in $1 billion US Medicare fraud

Massive Medicare Fraud Exposed

Federal prosecutors in Chicago have revealed a series of massive healthcare fraud schemes targeting US government programs and private insurers. The schemes allegedly siphoned over $1 billion through fraudulent billing for medical equipment and tests that were never provided.

Kazakhstan National Charged in Medicare Fraud

Anuar Abdrakhmanov, a citizen of Kazakhstan, is accused of taking over a legitimate medical supply company in Kentucky and using it to submit false Medicare claims totaling approximately $666 million. Despite his visa expiring in 2023, he remained in the US, becoming manager of Priority One Medical Equipment in April 2024.

Empty Offices and False Claims

Court documents describe shell companies and empty offices, with workers only tasked with collecting mail and sending photos via Telegram. Financial records reveal checks sent to Chicago suburbs, including a misplaced $1 million cheque that was later recovered.

Pakistan Nationals Also Charged

Tair Smagul, another Kazakhstan national living in Chicago, is accused of laundering money tied to a separate Medicare fraud scheme involving Connecticut-based Medical Home Care Inc. The operation billed nearly $953 million for unnecessary catheters, leading to over 27,000 complaints from Medicare regarding the company.

Pakistani nationals Burhan Mirza and Kashif Iqbal are charged with orchestrating a $10 million fraud involving diagnostic tests and medical equipment. Mirza ran a business in Pakistan while Iqbal lived in Texas and worked with US accomplices to submit false claims using stolen patient information. Millions were routed through shell companies with fabricated names. Iqbal is also accused of lying to federal investigators about his role.