Federal authorities have charged a former Bay Area, California resident in a massive $90 million healthcare fraud scheme, alleging he orchestrated thousands of false claims to siphon government funds.
A federal jury has charged Anar Rustamov, a 38-year-old man from Azerbaijan, with 14 counts of helping carry out healthcare fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors say he once lived in Sunnyvale, entered US illegally, and played a key role in the scheme. He is still on the run.
According to investigators, the scheme targeted the Medicare Advantage programme. Over a period of nine months, Rustamov allegedly submitted thousands of fraudulent claims for medical equipment, including blood glucose monitors and orthotic braces.
Authorities say the equipment was never provided, was not medically necessary, and had not been authorised by healthcare professionals. The claims were filed through an organisation Rustamov created called “Dublin Helping Hand. ” Many of the patients listed in the claims were unaware that their identities had been used.
If convicted, Rustamov faces up to 20 years in prison for each felony count, along with fines of up to $250,000 per charge.
US Attorney Craig H. Missakian said in a news release announcing the indictment: “Anyone who believes they can make easy money by defrauding such programs should know that we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute such fraud and abuse.”
FBI special agent Matt Cobo said: “This case alleges a calculated scheme to exploit a critical health care program for personal gain, attempting to siphon tens of millions of dollars through thousands of fraudulent claims for medical equipment.”
Cobo added: “The FBI and our partners will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who attempt to defraud these vital programs and hold them accountable.”
