Major U.S. Fraudster Captured in Philippines
NEW YORK—In a significant development, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest of one of the FBI’s most-wanted fraudsters, Herbert Leon Kimble, following his capture in the Philippines. Kimble was apprehended by the Fugitive Search Unit of the Philippine Immigration Bureau at a casino in Pasig City after months of extensive surveillance and tracking.
Background of the Case
Herbert Leon Kimble had previously pleaded guilty in April 2019 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to multiple charges, including fraud against the United States, false claims to federal agencies, mail and wire fraud, health care fraud, and conspiracy related to kickbacks and bribes. However, he failed to appear for his scheduled sentencing hearing on August 27, 2024, which led federal authorities to issue a warrant for his arrest on charges of failure to appear in court.
Details of the Allegations
Acting U.S. Attorney Todd Blanche announced that Kimble is suspected of orchestrating a massive $1.2 billion Medicare fraud scheme, marking it as the largest healthcare fraud case prosecuted in U.S. history. The FBI had placed a reward of up to $150,000 for any information leading to his capture.
Fugitive’s Arrest and Deportation
Kimble was arrested on June 11 in a commercial area in Pasig, according to Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Beard. After his capture, he was deported on June 18 and has since been blacklisted by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration.
Commitment to Global Justice
Commissioner Beard emphasized that the Philippines will not serve as a refuge for fugitives. This stance reflects the country’s dedication to collaborating with international law enforcement agencies to ensure that individuals who pose a threat to public safety are located and removed from its communities.
Fraud Scheme Operations
The FBI reported that Kimble operated an intricate call center-based fraud scheme from approximately 2014 to March 2019, focusing on the improper marketing and distribution of durable medical equipment (DME), particularly orthopedic braces. His operation involved persuading Medicare beneficiaries to request unnecessary orthopedic braces, often through questionable telemedicine consultations. The scheme generated over $1.2 billion in fraudulent claims affecting thousands of Medicare beneficiaries, many of whom were elderly.
Recognition from U.S. Officials
FBI Director Kash Patel expressed gratitude to the Philippine authorities and U.S. law enforcement partners for their collaborative efforts in capturing Kimble. Patel underlined the commitment of their team to combat fraud that exploits hardworking taxpayers’ money. Since the launch of a nationwide investigation last week, the FBI has arrested two individuals from its Most Wanted Fraudsters list, including Syed Abdullahi Eleg, who was implicated in a separate money laundering scheme.
