FBI nabs fraudster accused in $1B+ Medicare scheme
Fox News correspondent David Spunt details the FBI’s arrest of Herbert Leon Kimble, a suspected fraudster accused in a $1.2 billion Medicare case. The arrest comes as the Justice Department rolls out its new “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list, aimed at suspects tied to major fraud categories, including healthcare scams and SNAP benefits abuse.
A fugitive alleged to have played a central role in a $3.7 billion Medicare fraud operation — among the largest schemes of its kind in U.S. history — is now in American custody after investigators located him in Turkey and returned him to the United States to face charges, the FBI said Monday.
According to the FBI, Ibrahim Khaldoon Hilmi was recently taken into custody by Turkish authorities after fleeing the U.S. in May 2025. Agents with the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group traveled to Turkey and brought Hilmi back to the United States on Friday through a foreign transfer of custody operation.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the mission as a significant win in the bureau’s broader push to apprehend fugitives accused of siphoning off taxpayer funds.
“Ibrahim Khaldoon Hilmi is charged with one of the biggest Medicare scams in history — allegedly orchestrating a massive $3.7 billion scheme to defraud Medicare,” Patel said in a statement to News Agency. “He’s been on the run since May of 2025 — but we got him.”
Ibrahim Khaldoon Hilmi is accused of helping mastermind a $3.7 billion Medicare fraud scheme. (FBI)
Patel said the successful capture and return of Hilmi was made possible through the combined efforts of FBI Miami, the Department of Justice and Turkish authorities.
Turkish authorities recently apprehended Hilmi in Turkey. He was handed over to the FBI and brought back to the U.S. on Friday, the bureau said. (FBI)
The arrest marks the second high-profile return of an alleged Medicare fraud fugitive in less than a week.
On Thursday, the FBI announced it had brought back Herbert Kimble, who investigators say had been on the run since 2024 after allegedly orchestrating a separate Medicare fraud scheme worth approximately $1.3 billion.
FBI Director Kash Patel touted Hilmi’s arrest as “another massive win” against fraudsters. (FBI)
The two cases involve roughly $5 billion in alleged fraud targeting taxpayer-funded healthcare programs.
Patel said Hilmi’s return demonstrates that suspects accused of large-scale fraud will be pursued regardless of where they flee.
“This yet another massive win for this FBI’s war on fraudsters with the White House Task Force led by VP Vance,” Patel said, “and a monumental victory for the Trump administration, showing that any criminal actor who steals from the American taxpayer will be caught, no matter where they try to hide.”
Patel also thanked U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, saying the case against Hilmi was only possible thanks to his “invaluable” and “tireless work.”
