An Uzbek citizen has been accused of pharmacy fraud in the US and embezzling three million dollars

Uzbek native suspected of US pharmacy fraud and $3 million theft

In Nassau County, New York, an investigation is underway into a major scheme involving ghost pharmacies used to illegally obtain money from public and private insurance companies. Among the suspects is Bakhadir Mirodimov, a native of Uzbekistan. According to police, in just 31 days, he siphoned off approximately three million dollars and left the country.

Investigators report that they identified several so-called "ghost pharmacies"—companies that existed on paper, billed for expensive drugs, but never actually dispensed medications to patients.

The fictitious pharmacies were registered on Jericho Turnpike and Guy Lombardo Avenue. Through companies registered at these addresses, authorities claim, bills were submitted for HIV and cancer treatment medications. Payment was demanded from Medicaid and Medicare programs, as well as private insurance companies.

In doing so, stolen personal data of doctors and patients were used to generate fraudulent prescriptions.

A second suspect was named as Abdilakim Berdikulov, a citizen of Kurdistan. According to police, he received about five million dollars. Investigators have not yet established whether the two men were connected. Law enforcement officials believe that similar schemes may be operating through other ghost pharmacies as well.

Both men, according to police, obtained New York State driver's licenses and used them to register companies. The suspects are currently outside the United States.

County authorities have filed felony charges against the companies allegedly involved in the fraud. Federal agencies have also been brought into the investigation.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly stated that such scams not only damage insurance programs and taxpayers, but also increase healthcare costs for all citizens. The investigation is ongoing.

Earlier in the US, Uzbek citizen Sardor Tirkashev, previously convicted of aggravated assault and robbery, was detained. The White House included him on a list of detained migrants whom American authorities consider dangerous to society.