Oregon — Two foreign nationals have been indicted in federal court in Chicago for allegedly participating in a $10 million health care fraud scheme targeting Medicare and private insurers.
According to the indictment, Burhan Mirza, 31, a Pakistani national residing in Pakistan, and Kashif Iqbal, 48, a Pakistani national residing in Lavon, Texas, worked with several co-schemers in 2023 and 2024 to submit fraudulent claims for medical services and equipment that were never provided.
Prosecutors allege the group used nominee-owned laboratories and durable medical equipment companies to bill Medicare and private health benefit programs. The indictment states that Mirza obtained identifying information from individuals, providers, and insurers without their knowledge and used it to support false claims submitted through the companies.
Iqbal is accused of being associated with multiple durable medical equipment providers involved in the scheme. He allegedly laundered fraud proceeds and coordinated transfers of money to Pakistan.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the defendants allegedly “billed millions of dollars from Medicare and laundered the proceeds to Pakistan,” adding that the Justice Department prioritizes rooting out fraud in federal health care programs.
U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros for the Northern District of Illinois said the office’s Healthcare Fraud Section will continue working with law enforcement partners to combat fraud schemes that divert public and private health care funds.
The indictment charges Mirza with 12 counts of health care fraud and five counts of money laundering. Iqbal faces 12 counts of health care fraud, six counts of money laundering, and one count of making a false statement to U.S. law enforcement.
Three alleged co-schemers were previously indicted and have pleaded guilty to federal health care fraud charges. They include Mir Akbar Khan, 57, of West Chicago, Illinois; Fasiur Rahman Syed, 47, a citizen of India residing in Chicago; and Navaid Rasheed, 43, a Pakistani citizen residing in Plano, Texas. Sentencing for those individuals is pending.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hayes is prosecuting the case.
An indictment contains allegations only. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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