A Pakistani woman has been sentenced to six years and four months in prison after being convicted of defrauding the United States government of approximately $64 million. The case was decided by a federal court in New York following proceedings involving fraud and deception.
The woman was identified as Zakia Khan. According to the case, Khan allegedly established a daycare facility for elderly people and used the business to obtain fraudulent payments from the US government. The scheme resulted in losses estimated at around $64 million.
A federal judge handed down the prison sentence on Wednesday, bringing the case to a conclusion after Khan admitted her guilt during the legal proceedings. She had been arrested in 2024 in connection with the fraud case.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed major financial penalties. Khan was ordered to pay approximately $56 million. The judge also approved the forfeiture of assets worth around $5 million as part of the punishment.
The case highlights the serious consequences of large-scale fraud involving government funds in the United States. Federal authorities can pursue both criminal penalties and financial recovery when public money is obtained through false claims or deceptive practices.
The daycare facility allegedly played a central role in the fraud scheme. While such facilities provide services to elderly people, the court proceedings focused on allegations that the business was used to obtain payments from the government through fraudulent means.
Khan’s arrest in 2024 marked a major development in the case. She later admitted her guilt, which allowed the legal proceedings to move toward sentencing. The latest court decision now establishes the punishment for the financial fraud.
The total financial consequences for Khan are substantial. Along with more than six years in federal prison, she faces a $56 million payment order and the forfeiture of approximately $5 million in assets. The penalties reflect the scale of the alleged losses to the US government.
The case also serves as a reminder that fraud involving government programmes can lead to lengthy investigations and serious criminal charges. Authorities can examine financial records, business operations and government payments when investigating suspected schemes.
With the sentencing, the New York federal court has formally concluded the proceedings against Khan. Her prison term, financial penalties and asset forfeiture form the main parts of the final judgment.
The case has also drawn attention because of the large amount of money involved. The approximately $64 million fraud figure makes it a major government fraud case, while the sentence demonstrates the significant legal risks associated with deliberately obtaining public funds through deception.
Also read: Pension Fund Scam Uncovered – Who Is Behind the Fraud?
