RismadarVoice Reporters, June 7, 2026
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced a reward of up to $150,000 (approximately ₦250 million) for information leading to the arrest and conviction of wanted fraud suspect, Herbert Leon Kimble, who is accused of masterminding a healthcare fraud scheme involving more than $1.2 billion in fraudulent Medicare claims.
According to information released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kimble is believed to have last resided in the Philippines and is currently wanted after failing to appear for a scheduled sentencing hearing in the United States.
Investigators allege that Kimble played a leading role in a nationwide healthcare fraud conspiracy that exploited the U.S. Medicare system through the marketing and distribution of durable medical equipment, particularly orthopaedic braces.
Authorities said that between 2014 and 2019, he operated a call-centre network that allegedly persuaded Medicare beneficiaries to request orthopaedic braces, many of which were medically unnecessary. The prescriptions were reportedly obtained through telemedicine consultations and later sold to medical equipment suppliers, who billed Medicare for reimbursement.
The FBI stated that the scheme generated more than $1.2 billion in Medicare charges and affected thousands of beneficiaries across the United States.
Court records indicate that Kimble pleaded guilty on April 4, 2019, in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina to conspiracy-related offences, including healthcare fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, false claims against the government, and the payment of illegal kickbacks.
However, he failed to appear for his sentencing hearing on August 27, 2024, prompting federal authorities to issue an arrest warrant and file an additional charge for failure to appear in court.
The FBI has appealed to members of the public with information about Kimble’s whereabouts to contact the agency through its tip lines, local FBI offices, the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or its online reporting portal.
Authorities say investigations remain ongoing as efforts continue to locate and apprehend the fugitive suspect.
