Glen Head couple charged with identity theft in health insurance fraud case

Amelia Camurati
From left, Mohammed Aziz, 61, and Anna Khaled, 42, both of Glen Head, have been charged with itendity theft and health care fraud. (Photo courtesy of Nassau County District Attorney's office)

A Glen Head couple was arrested last week for allegedly stealing the identity of the man’s first wife for a woman’s medical care and prescriptions, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said.

Mohammed Aziz, 61, was arraigned Thursday and charged with two felonies: first-degree identity theft and fourth-degree health care fraud. Aziz’s bail was set at $3,000 bond or cash.

Anna Khaled, 42, was arraigned on Oct. 28 and charged with second-degree forgery, first-degree identity theft, third-degree insurance fraud and fourth-degree health care fraud. Her bail was set at $4,000 bond or $2,000 cash.

“The victim visited a hospital and was shocked when a doctor asked about her recent childbirth experiences, when in fact she had not given birth,” Singas said in a statement. “The allegations of identity theft in this case are particularly troubling because mixing medical records could have led to serious health consequences for the victim.”

Singas said in 2014, the victim, Khaled’s first wife, went to the Winthrop Hospital emergency room. During her visit, the doctor asked about medications listed in her medical history, but the victim said she had not been prescribed the medications.

Also according to medical records, the victim had recently given birth at North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital in Glen Cove, but that also was inaccurate, Singas said.

Singas said the victim went to Glen Head Pharmacy, where the prescriptions had been filled in her name, and was able to watch security footage of an unknown woman picking up the prescriptions.

At North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital, medical records showed someone using the victim’s identity and medical insurance to deliver a baby. Singas said Aziz was listed as the responsible party for the medical bills and some forged records.

The in-depth investigation by the Nassau County Police Department and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office is a prime example of a collaborative effort to reduce criminal activity,” Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said. “By doing so, we are protecting our residents and their insurance carriers from falsified insurance claims which cost our communities an exorbitant amount of money every year.”

The crimes were reported to the Nassau County district attorney’s office in May, Singas said.

Aziz is due back in court Jan. 17. If convicted, Aziz and Khaled face up to seven years in prison.

Attempts to reach Khaled’s attorney, Joshua Kirshner, and Aziz’s attorney, Barry Agulnick, were unavailing.

Share this Article