**US Businessman Accused of Stealing Billions from Healthcare Arrested in Kyrenia**
Ibrahim Hilmi, a 58-year-old American businessman, was arrested in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus, for allegedly orchestrating a massive fraud scheme that defrauded Medicare of over $3.7 billion. The arrest, confirmed by the U.S. Justice Department, marks a significant development in a case described as one of the largest Medicare scams in history.
Hilmi, who had been a resident of Miami-Dade County, Florida, fled the United States in May 2025. Following his apprehension in Kyrenia, he was transferred to the United States earlier this week and is now in custody in Miami, Florida. His initial appearance in a Florida court took place on Monday.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the charges against Hilmi, which include health care fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and two counts of money laundering. These charges stem from a grand jury indictment issued on June 11, 2026. The indictment alleges that Hilmi operated two fraudulent healthcare companies, ABRH Care and Sunshine Senior Solutions, which were essentially "shell companies" created solely to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare and other healthcare entities.
The fraudulent activities reportedly began in December 2024 when Hilmi's companies began submitting tens of thousands of claims for reimbursements related to durable medical equipment, including items such as urinary catheters and wound dressings that were never provided. The indictment highlights that many claims were submitted using the identities of legitimate medical providers, which were allegedly stolen by foreign actors.
While most of the claims submitted by Hilmi's companies were not paid out and were held in suspension due to suspected fraud, approximately $5.7 million was successfully deposited into the companies' bank accounts. The indictment further details that millions of dollars from these accounts were subsequently transferred to shell companies located abroad, indicating a complex web of financial transactions aimed at concealing the fraudulent scheme.
The operation leading to Hilmi's arrest is part of a broader federal initiative known as Operation Gold Rush, which aims to combat transnational organized crime networks involved in defrauding Medicare. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who chairs the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, expressed his support for the arrest in a social media post, stating, "If you steal from the American people, there will be no safe harbor for you anywhere in the world."
The cooperation between U.S. authorities and officials in Turkey was pivotal in the apprehension of Hilmi. Director Patel acknowledged the efforts of the Miami branch of the FBI, the U.S. Justice Department, and U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, emphasizing that their combined efforts were crucial in bringing Hilmi to justice. However, the specific role of officials in Northern Cyprus in the arrest remains unclear.
As the case unfolds, Hilmi faces serious charges that could result in significant legal repercussions. The investigation into his fraudulent activities continues, with authorities examining the full extent of the scheme and the individuals involved. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat healthcare fraud and protect the integrity of government-funded health programs.