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A fugitive accused of orchestrating one of the largest Medicare fraud schemes in U.S. history is back in American custody after being detained by Turkish authorities and flown to the United States, the FBI announced Monday.
The FBI credited close cooperation with Turkish officials and the U.S. ambassador to Türkiye for the operation's success.
Ibrahim Khaldoon Hilmi, charged in connection with an alleged $3.7 billion scheme to defraud Medicare, had fled the United States in May 2025 before being detained by Turkish authorities.
The FBI's Critical Incident Response Group traveled to Türkiye and transported Hilmi back to the U.S. on Friday through a foreign transfer of custody operation.
FBI Director Kash Patel hailed the operation as a major win for the bureau's pursuit of large-scale fraud suspects.
"Ibrahim Khaldoon Hilmi is charged with one of the biggest Medicare scams in history, allegedly orchestrating a massive $3.7 BILLION scheme to defraud Medicare. He's been on the run since May of 2025, but we got him," Patel wrote on X.
"Thanks to outstanding work from FBI Miami, the Justice Department, and our partners in Türkiye, Hilmi was apprehended overseas and after a Foreign Transfer of Custody, he is back in the U.S. to face justice," Patel said.
Patel described the case as part of a broader law enforcement effort.
"This is yet another massive win for this FBI's war on fraudsters with the White House Task Force led by VP Vance, and a monumental victory for the Trump administration showing that any criminal actor who steals from the American taxpayer will be caught, no matter where they try to hide," he said.
Patel specifically credited U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack for his role in securing Hilmi's capture and return.
"Special thanks to Ambassador Tom Barrack who continues to be an invaluable partner to us, this case could not have been accomplished without his tireless work," Patel said.
In a statement, FBI Miami detailed the operation.
"The FBI's successful FTOC (foreign transfer of custody) of Ibrahim Khaldoon Hilmi, who is charged with one of the biggest Medicare scams in history, demonstrates the FBI's ongoing efforts to bring fraudsters to justice," the office said.
"Hilmi is wanted for his alleged role in a $3.7 BILLION scheme to defraud Medicare. He fled the U.S. in May of 2025 and was recently detained by Turkish authorities," the FBI said.
"The FBI's resolve to pursue fugitives who flee from justice will not waver," the statement added.
FBI Miami said it investigated the case jointly with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).
The agency released a daylight photo depicting Hilmi's departure from Türkiye and nighttime photos of his arrival in South Florida last Friday.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance also addressed the case, framing it as a warning to those who attempt to evade U.S. law enforcement abroad.
"$3.7 BILLION fraud scheme, one of the biggest Medicare scams in history. This fraudster fled to Turkey in May 2025, but U.S. officials have brought him back to Miami, where he will face justice for his crimes against the American people," Vance said.
"If you steal from the American people, there will be no safe harbor for you anywhere in the world," he concluded.
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