Nigerian CEO Nabbed at SFO in $7M Veterans Fraud Bust

Federal authorities arrested Cashmir Chinedu Luke, a 66-year-old Nigerian national and CEO of Fresno-based Four Corners Health LLC, at San Francisco International Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Nigeria. The arrest occurred on Wednesday, stemming from a criminal complaint accusing him of orchestrating a five-year scheme that defrauded the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of more than $7 million. Luke, an Antioch resident, allegedly submitted around 10,000 false claims for in-home care services under the Veterans Community Care Program, targeting elderly beneficiaries in counties including Fresno, Tulare, and San Francisco. ​

Prosecutors claim the fraud involved billing for services never provided, such as duplicate charges, care on days without caregivers, excessive hours, and even post-mortem services for veterans who had died weeks earlier. As the company’s sole owner and billing representative, Luke reportedly misled the VA’s third-party administrator to sustain the operation from December 2019 to July 2024, funneling reimbursements into personal accounts for lavish spending or transfers across Asia and Africa. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Eric Grant, emphasized the scheme’s impact on vulnerable veterans, with the investigation handled by the VA Office of Inspector General and prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorney Calvin Lee. ​

If convicted on the charges, Luke faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, though sentencing would follow federal guidelines and court discretion. Authorities note that all charges remain allegations, with the defendant presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case highlights ongoing U.S. efforts to combat healthcare fraud in veteran services. 

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