Four Pakistani nationals are wanted by US authorities over an alleged healthcare fraud scheme involving more than $703 million in fake claims.

At Rs. 277 per dollar, the alleged claims are worth around Rs. 195 billion.

The US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General says the four suspects allegedly used a call centre in Pakistan called Hello International Marketing Solutions to obtain Medicare beneficiary information through theft and deception.

The suspects allegedly used the stolen information to submit false claims for Covid-19 test kits, medical equipment and genetic testing services.

Investigators said many of the products and services were not requested by beneficiaries, were not medically necessary or were never provided.

US authorities also allege that artificial intelligence was sometimes used to fake beneficiaries’ consent for Covid-19 test kits.

The four suspects have been identified as Fizza Farid, Faizan Saleem, Shearyar Arif and Ruknuddin “Rick” Charolia. US authorities believe they could be in Pakistan or the United Arab Emirates.

According to the US investigation, the four were allegedly involved in submitting around $703 million in fraudulent claims, while approximately $418 million was actually paid by Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.

The US authorities are seeking information that could help locate the suspects.

The allegations have not been proven in court, and all four are presumed innocent unless found guilty.