The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking information on four suspects allegedly linked to a Pakistani call centre involved in a $703 million Medicare fraud scheme.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) identified the suspects as Fizza Farid, Faizan Saleem, Shearyar Arif and Ruknuddin “Rick” Charolia. US authorities believe the four may be hiding in Pakistan or the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
How the Pakistani call centre allegedly carried out the Medicare fraud
According to US authorities, the suspects operated the scheme through a Pakistan-based call centre called Hello International Marketing Solutions (HIMS).
Investigators allege that the call centre obtained Medicare beneficiary identification numbers (BINs) through theft and deception. The suspects then used the information to contact Medicare beneficiaries and obtain consent for medical products.
The group allegedly used the stolen information to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans for COVID-19 test kits, durable medical equipment (DME) and genetic testing.
Authorities say many of the products were either not requested by patients, were medically unnecessary or were never delivered.
Suspects allegedly used AI to fake patient consent
Investigators also allege that the operation used artificial intelligence to bypass security checks and create fake patient consent for COVID-19 test kits.
The alleged scheme targeted Medicare, the US government health insurance programme that mainly covers people aged 65 and older, as well as some younger people with disabilities.
What US authorities say about Fizza Farid
The OIG provided specific details about suspect Fizza Farid, who allegedly worked for HIMS and served as the nominee owner of a durable medical equipment provider.
According to investigators, Farid helped her co-conspirators sell and distribute stolen Medicare beneficiary identification numbers.
US authorities say Farid later fled the country to avoid prosecution. Investigators believe she travelled to Pakistan in late April 2025.
Earlier Medicare fraud case involving Pakistani nationals
The latest case follows another US healthcare fraud investigation involving Pakistani nationals.
In February 2026, authorities in Chicago charged Burhan Mirza, 31, a Pakistan resident, and Kashif Iqbal, 48, a Texas resident, in a separate alleged $10 million Medicare fraud scheme.
According to an indictment filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the two men allegedly targeted Medicare and private insurers by submitting false claims for medical equipment and services that were never provided.
HHS urges public to treat allegations as unproven
The HHS stressed that the allegations against Farid, Saleem, Arif and Charolia remain unproven.
The four suspects are presumed innocent unless they are convicted in court.
The investigation highlights the growing use of technology, including artificial intelligence, in alleged healthcare fraud schemes targeting US Medicare and other health insurance programmes.
