Ex-Loretto Hospital Exec Arrested in Serbia for COVID-19 Testing Fraud

Anosh Ahmed accused of embezzling $15 million and defrauding the federal government through fake COVID-19 testing scheme

Jan. 28, 2026 at 6:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Anosh Ahmed, the former chief financial officer of Loretto Hospital in Chicago, has been arrested in Serbia for allegedly defrauding the federal government through a COVID-19 testing scheme that netted him and his co-conspirators nearly $300 million. Ahmed is accused of stealing patient data from the hospital and using it to seek reimbursement for COVID-19 tests that were never actually performed.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing problem of healthcare fraud, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when federal funds were flowing rapidly to support testing and other pandemic-related expenses. The alleged actions of Ahmed and his co-conspirators not only deprived the government of millions in taxpayer dollars, but also undermined public trust in the healthcare system at a critical time.

The details

According to federal court filings, Ahmed and his co-conspirator Sameer Suhail had been living in Dubai since 2024, shortly before charges were announced. Between April 2021 and June 2022, Ahmed allegedly stole patient data from Loretto Hospital and used it to seek federal reimbursement for COVID-19 tests that were never actually performed. In total, Ahmed and others sought reimbursement for more than $894.5 million in claims and received payments of more than $293 million.

  • On November 30, 2025, Anosh Ahmed was arrested in Serbia.
  • In December 2025, a Serbian court denied Ahmed's petition to be released to a hotel in the country's capital, ordering he remain in their custody.
  • On January 28, 2026, the U.S. government requested Ahmed's extradition from Serbia.

The players

Anosh Ahmed

The former chief financial officer of Loretto Hospital in Chicago, who is accused of defrauding the federal government through a COVID-19 testing scheme.

Sameer Suhail

Ahmed's co-conspirator in the alleged fraud scheme, who had been living in Dubai with Ahmed since 2024.

Loretto Hospital

A small West Side hospital in Chicago that was at the center of the COVID-19 testing fraud allegations.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The U.S. government has requested Ahmed's extradition from Serbia, and a Serbian court will decide whether to grant the request.

The takeaway

This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust oversight and accountability measures to prevent healthcare fraud, especially during times of crisis when federal funding is flowing rapidly. It also underscores the importance of whistleblowers and investigative journalism in uncovering such schemes.