An Indian-origin laboratory owner is now on the US government’s fugitive list after allegedly orchestrating one of the more elaborate Medicare fraud schemes in recent memory, one built almost entirely on borrowed identities. Khadeer Khan Mohammed, 46, is accused of funnelling roughly $93 million (close to Rs 8.89 billion) in fake claims through his Texas-based laboratory, with authorities confirming At least $65 million of that was actually paid out before the scheme unravelled. Mohammed owned American Premier Labs LLC, based in Richardson, Texas. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), he ran the operation from around August 2023 to October 2024, using it to push through Medicare claims that were, in the department’s words, never eligible for reimbursement in the first place. 🚨 WANTED: $93M FRAUD SUSPECT 🚨 #FugitiveFriday : Khadeer Khan Mohammed (46) allegedly ran a sprawling $93M genetic-testing scam targeting Medicare. He is believed to be in India. Help us find him. Report tips to 1‑888‑476‑4453 or https://t.co/Q5fvf8Nlwy pic.twitter.com/hc5iHvSp9a What made the alleged fraud unusual was how it was carried out. Investigators say Mohammed used the personal identifying Details of several practising physicians, without their knowledge or consent, to submit claims for genetic tests on Medicare beneficiaries those doctors had never actually treated. The borrowed credentials made the claims look legitimate on paper, allowing them to slip through Medicare’s system undetected for months. HHS said plainly that the tests in question “were not ordered by the physicians and were not used in the care of the beneficiaries.” The scale of the payouts is what has drawn particular attention. In just 10 days in 2023 alone, Medicare is reported to have paid out around $13 million against claims investigators now consider fraudulent, a pace that points to a scheme operating at speed and largely unchecked before authorities caught on. US authorities have formally listed Mohammed as a fugitive, and HHS says it believes he may currently be in Hyderabad , India, well outside the reach of the Texas courts where the case originated. The Department of Health and Human Services and the FBI are now pursuing a criminal case against him, and investigators have already moved to claw back some of the alleged proceeds, seizing close to $6 million from bank accounts said to be under his control. The case remains under investigation, and it is not yet clear whether Indian authorities have been formally approached over Mohammed’s possible location. The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More
