The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced a reward of up to $150,000 (approximately N250 million) for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Herbert Leon Kimble, a convicted fraudster accused of masterminding a healthcare fraud scheme involving more than $1.2 billion in fraudulent Medicare charges.
According to the FBI, Kimble operated a sophisticated call-centre network that allegedly targeted Medicare beneficiaries, persuading them to obtain orthopedic braces that were often medically unnecessary. The prescriptions were then funneled through telemedicine providers and durable medical equipment suppliers, which billed Medicare for reimbursement.
Authorities say the scheme ran from 2014 to 2019 and affected thousands of beneficiaries, particularly elderly Americans.
Kimble pleaded guilty in 2019 to multiple offences, including healthcare fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, false claims, and conspiracy charges. However, he failed to appear for his sentencing hearing in August 2024, prompting federal authorities to issue an arrest warrant.
The FBI believes Kimble may be residing in Manila, Philippines, and is urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact law enforcement authorities or submit tips through official FBI channels.
