Washington, June 24: A Pakistani national and permanent resident of the United States, Habib Habib (30), was arrested on Wednesday for running an unlicensed money transfer business. According to U.S. authorities, this operation was allegedly used to send funds obtained through Medicare fraud from the U.S. to Pakistan.
Habib, a resident of Middletown, Connecticut, pleaded guilty in federal court in Bridgeport. He also waived his right to formal indictment, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.
Court documents and statements revealed that Habib registered a company named ‘Around the World Solutions LLC’ in Connecticut in January 2025 and subsequently opened a bank account under the company’s name.
Federal prosecutors stated that through this company, fraudulent claims were submitted to Medicare Advantage plans for durable medical equipment, such as orthotics and braces. The individuals listed in these claims neither requested such equipment nor authorized the claims, and they never received any items.
According to officials, these claims were submitted by an individual based in Pakistan.
Prosecutors indicated that between March 12 and May 14, 2025, approximately $680,571 was deposited into the company’s bank account from Medicare Advantage plans.
These payments were linked to fraudulent claims asserting that around 413 Medicare beneficiaries were provided with orthotics. These beneficiaries resided in 36 states across the U.S., none of whom were Connecticut residents.
Officials reported that the total value of the fraudulent claims made through the company was approximately $1.9 million. However, some payments were halted by insurance companies after the alleged fraud was detected.
The investigation revealed that Habib sent a total of $425,000 through 14 wire transfers to bank accounts in Pakistan from the company’s account.
Prosecutors stated that neither Habib nor ‘Around the World Solutions’ possessed a license from the Connecticut banking department to operate a money transfer business.
Operating such a business without a license is a crime under both Connecticut and federal laws.
Habib was arrested on August 24, 2025, just one day before he was scheduled to board a flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Pakistan. He had a one-way ticket.
He is set to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford on September 8.
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