An Indian national, Mohammed Asif, is facing charges of health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with American Labworks LLC. Asif was apprehended on April 10, 2025, at Chicago O’Hare International Airport while attempting to leave the country. Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced that Asif will appear in U.S. District Court in Seattle.
The indictment claims that Asif and others conspired to bill Medicare for COVID-19 tests and other respiratory illness tests that were neither ordered nor performed. "Medicare provides critical funding for senior citizens’ health care needs, which makes this type of fraud all the more reprehensible," said Miller.
American Labworks was formed in October 2021 and dissolved in March 2025. Its license expired in December 2023, yet it billed Medicare over $8.7 million between April and December 2024, receiving payments exceeding $1.1 million.
Numerous complaints were lodged with Medicare from June 2024 to March 2025 about being billed for unreceived tests. Some records showed billing for services after patients had died or referrals from deceased physicians.
Financial records reveal that Asif withdrew significant sums from the company’s bank account before returning to India on a student visa and then re-entering the U.S. in March 2025 amid ongoing investigations.
W. Mike Herrington of the FBI stated, "By all appearances, there is nothing legitimate about Mr. Asif’s company." Robb Breeden from HHS-OIG added that the scheme diverted taxpayer money meant for genuine medical services.
The charges against Asif could lead to up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case continues under investigation by HHS-OIG and the FBI with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Philip Kopczynski.