FBI places Ghanaian pastor on most wanted list over $4m healthcare fraud

Ayitey Ayayee-Amim, a Ghanaian pastor who also goes by the names Kwame, Sam, and “Man of God,” has been a federal fugitive since 2016 after failing to appear for his jury trial in a healthcare fraud case in Texas, with authorities believing he could be hiding in Ghana, Canada, England, or parts of the United States.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has offered a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Ayitey Ayayee-Amim, who was indicted for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud on September 1, 2015.

The Paradise Home Health scheme

According to the FBI, Amim and his co-conspirators worked at Paradise Home Health in Arlington, Texas, from 2010 to 2011. During that period, Amim allegedly submitted false and fraudulent Medicare claims for health services that were medically unnecessary and for services that were never provided to patients.

Beyond the fraudulent billing, authorities further allege that he actively recruited new patients into the scheme and paid cash kickbacks to established patients to sustain it. Court documents indicate the scheme involved more than $4,000,000 of fraudulently obtained funds.

Amim was arrested on May 8, 2015, and released on bail. However, when his jury trial was scheduled to begin on August 15, 2016, he failed to appear, prompting a federal arrest warrant from the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas.

A fugitive for nearly a decade

Now in his mid-40s—born September 29, 1979—Amim is described as a black male, 6 feet tall, weighing 220 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. His aliases include Ayitey Amim, Ayitey Ayaree-Amim, Ayitey Ayayee, Kwame, Kwame Ayayee, Man of God, Sam, and Pastor Kwame.

The FBI believes he may be traveling in Ghana, the United Kingdom, Canada, the northeastern United States, or the Dallas–Fort Worth area, where the alleged offences took place.

The case highlights the cross-border dimensions of federal fugitive investigations, particularly where suspects maintain ties to multiple countries across continents.

Religious leaders under scrutiny

The case of a self-styled “Man of God” being linked to an alleged multimillion-dollar fraud scheme has renewed calls for authorities in Ghana to scrutinise the sources of wealth of religious leaders who live flamboyantly without any publicly known businesses or legitimate income streams.

In recent times, Ghana has witnessed a series of financial scandals involving individuals who parade themselves as spiritual figures yet exploit public trust for personal gain. Some pastors have been seen flaunting luxury cars, palatial mansions, and other expensive assets. When questioned about the source of their wealth, some have offered outlandish explanations—including claims that angels bring money and leave it under their beds.

Such claims, critics argue, are not only absurd but should trigger legitimate suspicion. Churches, with their trust-based structures and often weak financial controls, can be vulnerable to money laundering and other financial crimes. Large donations, particularly from abroad, require proper documentation and transparency, yet many religious organisations operate with little to no financial oversight.

A case for EOCO intervention

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has already demonstrated its capacity to investigate high-profile individuals with suspicious wealth. In 2025, EOCO launched lifestyle audits targeting politicians, entertainers, and social media personalities with questionable financial profiles. The office has previously seized luxury vehicles and investigated religious figures, including the controversial Nana Agradaa, whose church came under scrutiny over financial crimes.

Given the growing public concern over the opulent lifestyles of some religious leaders, there is a compelling case for EOCO to extend its investigative reach. Where there are legitimate grounds for suspicion—unexplained luxury assets, lack of verifiable income sources, and implausible explanations for wealth—religious leaders should be subject to the same scrutiny as any other citizen.

The FBI, for its part, continues to seek the public’s help. Anyone with information concerning Ayitey Ayayee-Amim is urged to contact their local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov.

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