The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Khalid Satary, the alleged mastermind behind a massive Medicare fraud scheme involving approximately ₹4,704 crore (about $547 million). According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the 54-year-old is accused of orchestrating a large-scale healthcare fraud operation between 2016 and 2019 by submitting fraudulent Medicare claims for medically unnecessary genetic tests while using illegal kickbacks and bribes to generate patient referrals.
Prosecutors allege that Satary owned and operated several diagnostic laboratories across the United States that submitted more than ₹4,704 crore in Medicare claims for expensive genetic testing. Investigators claim the scheme involved patient recruiters, telemarketing call centres, telemedicine companies and other associates who allegedly used deceptive marketing tactics to recruit Medicare beneficiaries. Each genetic test sample reportedly generated Medicare reimbursements ranging from ₹8.6 lakh to ₹17.2 lakh (approximately $10,000 to $20,000).
Authorities further allege that Satary paid millions of rupees’ worth of illegal kickbacks and bribes to doctors, patient recruiters and other participants in the scheme. Following his indictment in 2019, investigators seized 16 bank accounts linked to him and restrained several real estate assets.
According to the DOJ, Satary allegedly continued submitting fraudulent Medicare claims through Texas-based laboratories even after being released on bond, despite a court-imposed restriction prohibiting him from working in the healthcare sector. A federal arrest warrant was issued against him in December 2022 after he failed to appear in court and allegedly fled the United States.
The FBI said Satary was apprehended on July 20, 2026, in the Middle East with the assistance of regional law enforcement agencies. Authorities also recovered a fake Mexican passport issued under a false identity from his possession. He was subsequently transferred to U.S. custody and has made his initial appearance before a federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia.
Satary faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and paying and receiving illegal healthcare kickbacks and bribes. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison on several of the charges.
The FBI noted that Satary had recently been added to its “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list and was captured within a month of being included, despite having remained a fugitive for nearly three years.
U.S. authorities said the case forms part of broader enforcement efforts targeting individuals accused of exploiting public healthcare programmes and defrauding taxpayers. The allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings, and Satary’s guilt will be determined by the court based on the evidence presented during trial.
