Products are selected by our editors, we may earn commission from links on this page.
Thousands of medical claims raised questions. Now, one man is on the run.
A nationwide manhunt is now underway after federal authorities charged a man accused of orchestrating a massive Medicare fraud scheme worth more than $90 million. According to the Department of Justice, Anar Rustamov, a 38-year-old foreign national from Azerbaijan, allegedly carried out a large-scale operation targeting federal health care funds through the Medicare Advantage program.
Prosecutors say Rustamov may have entered the United States illegally and is now at large, with investigators actively searching for him. Prosecutors say Rustamov may have entered the United States illegally and is now at large, with investigators actively searching for him.
How the $90 Million Scheme Allegedly Worked
According to federal prosecutors, the scheme relied on submitting thousands of fraudulent claims for medical equipment that patients never received and often did not need. Items listed in the claims included blood glucose monitors and orthotic braces, billed through Medicare Advantage organizations.
Authorities say Rustamov used a company he created, Dublin Helping Hand, to send large volumes of claims between October 2024 and June 2025. The goal was to secure reimbursements from taxpayer-funded programs.
Prosecutors allege that the claims were filed using the identities of unsuspecting Medicare beneficiaries, while listing medical providers who never approved the requests. In many cases, the equipment was not provided at all.
Officials Warn About the Scale and Impact
Federal officials have described the case as a serious attempt to exploit a critical public program. U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian said the alleged scheme aimed to “steal nearly $100 million in taxpayer funds from a program intended to help those who truly need medical care.”
FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Cobo echoed that concern, describing the operation as a “calculated scheme” designed to siphon tens of millions of dollars through fraudulent claims.
Officials emphasized that programs like Medicare Advantage are funded by taxpayers and are meant to provide essential care, making fraud cases like this particularly significant.
What Happens Next in the Investigation
For now, the investigation remains active, with Rustamov still at large and facing serious federal charges if captured. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for each violation.
The case is part of a broader effort by federal agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, to crack down on healthcare fraud nationwide.
As the search continues, the case highlights how complex fraud schemes can operate behind the scenes, often using real patient information and legitimate systems to carry out illegal activity. For many readers, it raises a broader question: how often do schemes like this slip through unnoticed, and what does it take to catch them?