United States of America v. Burhan Mirza and Kashif Iqbal

Chicago, Illinois, criminal defense lawyers represent the Defendants charged with health care fraud and money laundering.

In 2023 and 2024, BURHAN MIRZA and KASHIF IQBAL, along with several co-schemers, used nominee-owned laboratories and durable medical equipment providers to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare and private healthcare benefit programs for items and services that were not provided, the indictment states. Mirza, a Pakistani native who resided in Pakistan, obtained the identifying information of individuals, providers, and insurers without their knowledge and used the information to support the bogus claims submitted on behalf of the nominee-owned companies, the indictment states. Iqbal, a Pakistani native who resided in Lavon, Texas, was allegedly associated with a number of durable medical equipment providers that submitted fraudulent claims to insurers. Iqbal also laundered fraud proceeds obtained by the co-schemers and coordinated the transfer of money obtained through the scheme to Pakistan, the indictment states.

The indictment charges Mirza, 31, with 12 counts of healthcare fraud and five counts of money laundering. Iqbal, 48, is charged with 12 counts of healthcare fraud, six counts of money laundering, and one count of making a false statement to U.S. law enforcement. Arraignments in federal court in Chicago have not yet been scheduled.

The indictment was announced by Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General, Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and Mario Pinto, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Chicago Regional Office. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hayes of the Northern District of Illinois.

“Rooting out fraud is a priority for this Justice Department, and these defendants allegedly billed millions of dollars from Medicare and laundered the proceeds to Pakistan,” said Deputy Attorney General Blanche. “These alleged criminals stole from a program designed to provide health care benefits to American seniors and the disabled, not line the pockets of foreign fraudsters. We will not tolerate these schemes that divert taxpayer dollars to criminals.”

“Every fraudulent submission in this case diverts much needed monies from senior citizens and disabled persons who rely on Medicare to fund critically important health needs,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “The defendants didn’t just steal from a government program; they did damage to the promise of healthcare in this country and the peace of mind that comes with it. I was proud to form a new Healthcare Fraud Section in the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office last summer with the aim of guarding hardworking taxpayer funds. We will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to stop bad actors from draining public and private programs—especially those in the healthcare space that make it harder for legitimate patients to receive care.”

“Each fraudulent claim submitted by the defendants deprived other deserving patients from necessary medical resources and cost taxpayers their hard-earned money,” said FBI SAC DePodesta. “The FBI, along with our network of investigative and prosecutorial partners, will bring to justice those who engage in egregious fraudulent schemes at the expense of the American public.”

“This scheme was built on a foundation of lies—fraudulent claims for services that were never provided and a deliberate effort to funnel millions of dollars overseas,” said HHS-OIG SAC Pinto. “These actions not only siphon funds from federal health care programs and private insurers, but also undermine the integrity of programs meant to serve vulnerable patients. Our agency will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to dismantle these schemes and ensure those responsible are held accountable.”

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.