The hunt for Anosh Ahmed, a former hospital executive, has ended in Belgrade, Serbia. Nearly two years after U.S. federal authorities accused him of masterminding a massive COVID-19 fraud, Ahmed was taken into custody on November 30, 2025, bringing him closer to facing justice.
Ahmed, once the chief financial officer of a major Chicago safety-net hospital, fled the United States following initial fraud charges. His capture marks a significant development in a case alleging one of the largest COVID-19 fraud schemes in American history, a betrayal of public trust during a time of national crisis.
Court documents reveal the United States government was officially notified of Ahmed’s arrest late last year. Within weeks, a formal extradition request, a comprehensive “extradition package,” was submitted to Serbian authorities on January 23rd, initiating the legal process to bring him back to the U.S.
A Serbian court swiftly denied Ahmed’s request for release to a Belgrade hotel, ordering him to remain in custody as the extradition proceedings unfold. This decision underscores the seriousness with which Serbian authorities are treating the U.S. request and the gravity of the alleged crimes.
The core of the accusation centers around a scheme to defraud the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. From June 2021 to March 2022, Ahmed and others allegedly submitted over $800 million in false claims for COVID-19 testing of uninsured individuals – tests that were never actually performed.
The alleged fraud wasn’t simply about inflated numbers; it involved the misuse of sensitive personal data. Prosecutors claim the scheme compromised the information of more than 150,000 patients, exploiting their identities for financial gain.
This isn’t the first time Ahmed’s actions have drawn scrutiny. Early in the pandemic, while vaccine access was limited, Ahmed and other hospital executives organized vaccination events at exclusive locations – including luxury watch dealers and Trump Tower in Chicago. This sparked controversy, sharply contrasting with the hospital’s core mission of serving vulnerable communities.
Currently, Ahmed’s trial is scheduled for July 2026, though his legal team has requested a postponement to September 2026. The coming months will be critical as the U.S. government pursues his extradition and prepares to present its case, seeking to hold him accountable for the alleged widespread fraud.
