Friday, August 21, 2026

FBI captures fugitive Ibrahim Hilmi wanted for $3.7 billion Medicare fraud in Turkey

Mr Hilmi has been on the run since 2025. 

• June 23, 2026
Ibrahim Hilmi
Ibrahim Hilmi [Credit: Fox News]

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation on Monday announced the arrest of fugitive Ibrahim Hilmi, who is wanted for $3.7 billion Medicare fraud in Turkey.

Kash Patel, FBI Director, announced the capture of Mr Hilmi, who has been on the run since 2025, in a post on X.

“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,” Mr Patel said.

The FBI Director also posted photos of Mr Hilmi highlighting him being escorted from the plane in cuffs, while FBI agents flanked him on both sides.

Mr Hilmi’s arrest in Turkey and his return to America to face trial were also confirmed by Mr Patel. He added, “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.”

The FBI Director appreciated Turkish authorities for their collaboration in the arrest and return of Mr Hilmi back to the U.S. to face trial.

“Thanks to outstanding work from FBI Miami, the Justice Department, and our partners in Turkey, Hilmi was apprehended overseas and after a Foreign Transfer of Custody, he is back in the U.S. to face justice,” Mr Patel said.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

World

U.S. sanctions 10 individuals over Hezbollah cash smuggling network 

The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13224, the U.S. counterterrorism authority.

Bola Oyebamiji and President Bola Tinubu

States

Oyebamiji meets Tinubu after Osun election loss, calls for peace

Mr Oyebamiji appealed to his supporters to remain peaceful, adding that the APC was still reviewing the poll before making a decision.

Governor of Borno state, Babagana Zulum

Rights

Residents urge government to rescue 78 abducted Borno schoolchildren

The secretary of Hawul Askira-Uba Elders’ Forum, Malla Gadzama, said the abductees had spent a total of 101 days in captivity.

Nigeria’s women’s beach volleyball team

Sport

Nigeria beat Egypt, reach African Beach Volleyball quarter-finals

Nigeria will qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games if the team wins gold in the women’s category.

Save the Children International

States

SCI inaugurates block of classrooms, water project in Adamawa

Save the Children International (SCI) inaugurated a renovated block of classrooms and water projects at Ngurore and Wuro-Chekke Primary Schools in Yola South LGA.

Someone spraying pesticide on a farm

World

Iran develops plant-based alternatives to chemical pesticides

The new product is part of a broader effort in Iran to expand biological pest-control technologies and reduce reliance on chemical treatments.