The former executive of Loretto Hospital, Anosh Ahmed, who is accused of embezzling millions from the hospital and defrauding the federal government of nearly $300 million, has been arrested in Serbia. Serbian authorities took Ahmed into custody on November 30. The United States government formally requested his extradition last Friday, according to a recent court filing.
Ahmed remains detained in Serbia after a request to be released to a hotel in Belgrade was denied by local courts on December 30. His attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
Federal prosecutors allege that Ahmed and Sameer Suhail collaborated to embezzle $15 million from Loretto Hospital and directed an additional $19 million in hospital contracts to Suhail through bribery and other corrupt means. Suhail was both Ahmed’s business partner and neighbor in Chicago’s Trump Tower.
Ahmed also faces charges related to a separate COVID-19 testing scheme that allegedly defrauded the U.S. government out of approximately $300 million. According to prosecutors, Ahmed, Mohamed “Siraj” Sirajudeen, and Mahmood Sami Khan used O’Hare Clinical Lab—previously reported by Block Club Chicago for questionable practices—to submit false COVID-19 testing claims. The group sought about $900 million in reimbursements and received roughly $300 million.
Block Club Chicago investigations played a significant role in highlighting issues involving Ahmed and Suhail at Loretto Hospital, including providing early access to vaccines for well-connected individuals and questionable contracting with companies owned by Suhail. Further reporting uncovered widespread problems with COVID-19 testing companies providing unreliable or fake results while seeking substantial federal reimbursements.
Ahmed faces multiple charges: 14 counts of fraud, conspiracy to defraud the U.S., two counts of wrongful remuneration involving federal health care programs, wrongful disclosure of patient health information, and five counts of money laundering.
Before charges were filed, both Ahmed and Suhail became aware they were under investigation; court records indicate that another co-defendant attempted to flee the country as well. Suhail relocated to the United Arab Emirates before being charged, where he has since opened a luxury plastic surgery clinic.
After resigning from Loretto Hospital amid public scrutiny over vaccine distribution practices reported by Block Club Chicago, Ahmed moved back to Houston. He purchased several multimillion-dollar properties there—including one described as a “miniature Daddy Warbucks mansion”—and started new business ventures such as Anosh Inc., an investment firm.
Prosecutors allege that after leaving Loretto Hospital, Ahmed used stolen patient information to submit fraudulent reimbursement claims for COVID-19 tests never performed. He partnered with O’Hare Clinical Lab in this effort and instructed staff members on how to mislead government officials regarding their connection with Loretto Hospital.
In addition to facing criminal prosecution, U.S. authorities are seeking forfeiture of assets tied to Ahmed’s alleged crimes: more than $50 million held in bank accounts; over $42 million in securities; several luxury vehicles including Rolls-Royce models; and four Houston properties.
Ahmed claims online that he manages billions through his latest venture—the Private Family Office of Anosh Ahmed—which advertises global offices but does not appear officially registered where it operates.
Court records show outstanding debts left behind by Ahmed in the United States: American Express is suing him for around $120,000 in unpaid credit card bills canceled mid-2024; Cintas is separately suing him for about $171,000 related to services provided at Sekai nightclub—a Houston venue owned by Ahmed.
While abroad following his indictment, Ahmed issued numerous press releases making unverified claims about business expansions into cryptocurrency hubs or AI data centers—particularly targeting Chicago—and asserting collaborations with international organizations or political action committees not recognized by official registries or agencies.
Recent statements from these releases increasingly appeal directly toward Republican figures like former President Donald Trump while presenting edited images purporting involvement with major projects aligned with conservative causes. In one release dated June 22, 2024, he described himself as a “Republican leader” supporting American leadership efforts within cryptocurrency development alongside the Trump administration’s priorities.
Despite such assertions about political engagement or philanthropy—including founding foundations not listed with regulatory bodies—public records reveal minimal documented participation: only one recorded vote (in Texas during the 2020 general election) and sporadic donations across party lines ($12,000 donated locally during La Shawn Ford’s mayoral campaign; $190,000 given since October 2022 to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton).
Promotional social media accounts now advertise “The Anosh Ahmed Show,” which features limited content but positions him as targeted due to supposed political affiliations—a claim echoed across deleted posts describing loyalty “with God, country, and people.”
Ahmed was apprehended after U.S. authorities issued an international alert regarding his arrest warrant; he currently awaits potential extradition proceedings from Serbia back to the United States.
