Illegal Alien Indicted in $90 Million Medicare Advantage Fraud Scheme in Northern California

SAN FRANCISCO - A 38-year-old Azerbaijani national who previously lived in Sunnyvale, California, has been federally indicted on charges of orchestrating a large-scale health care fraud scheme that allegedly submitted thousands of false claims for medical equipment, seeking more than $90 million in taxpayer-funded reimbursements from Medicare Advantage programs.

Anar Rustamov was charged by a federal grand jury in the Northern District of California with multiple counts of health care fraud, aiding and abetting health care fraud, and money laundering. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Rustamov - described as a national of Azerbaijan who appears to have entered the United States illegally - created and operated a company called Dublin Helping Hand, which posed as a durable medical equipment (DME) provider.

The alleged scheme ran from October 2024 through June 2025 (approximately nine months). Prosecutors say Rustamov and others submitted large volumes of claims to Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) for items such as blood glucose monitors and orthotic braces. The claims were filed on behalf of unsuspecting Medicare beneficiaries, using their information without authorization. The equipment was allegedly never provided, not medically necessary, and not authorized by any medical provider. The indictment states that the billing volume and timing were structured to maximize payouts before the fraud could be detected.

No exact date of Rustamov's entry into the United States or the length of his stay has been disclosed in court documents or official statements. He is known to have resided in the Sunnyvale area of the Bay Area while operating the scheme. No information has been released regarding any spouse, children, or other family members.

Rustamov remains a fugitive as of March 24, 2026. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 per felony count.U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian stated: "When the Administration declared a War on Fraud, it meant to target exactly this kind of conduct. Rustamov participated in a scheme to steal nearly $100 million in taxpayer funds from a program intended to help those who truly need medical care."The case is being investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and other federal agencies. Authorities continue to search for Rustamov.

This story is based entirely on the official U.S. Department of Justice announcement and consistent reporting from multiple outlets. No additional personal details beyond those released by prosecutors are publicly available. That said, it's likely that Rustamov has flown back to Azerbaijan, carrying what would be one of the largest fortunes in his home country, and assumed a new identity.