A United States federal court has sentenced a 55-year-old Nigerian, Patrick Nwaokwu, to 21 months’ imprisonment for his involvement in a widespread fraud scheme involving fake nursing qualifications.
The sentence was handed down by Judge Deborah L. Boardman after Nwaokwu pleaded guilty to wire fraud. He is also to serve two years under supervised release after completing his prison term.
The U.S. Attorney, Kelly O. Hayes, disclosed that the convict was part of a network that produced and sold falsified nursing diplomas and academic records to individuals seeking entry into the healthcare profession.
According to court filings, Nwaokwu and his accomplices issued counterfeit documents purportedly from a nursing institution identified as “Nursing School 1,” falsely indicating that buyers had completed required academic and clinical training.
Investigations revealed that the fraudulent operation began in 2018, targeting individuals across Maryland and other locations who were willing to pay large sums for the fake credentials.
Nwaokwu was said to have worked closely with Musa Bangura to circulate backdated documents from a now-defunct institution, making it appear that recipients graduated before the school lost its licence.
Further findings showed that he collaborated with Johanah Napoleon and Geralda Adrien to distribute fake Registered Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse certificates linked to the Palm Beach School of Nursing in Florida.
As part of the scheme, buyers were instructed to include the Palm Beach School of Nursing in their National Council Licensure Examination applications while leaving graduation dates blank to allow manipulation.
Prosecutors stated that the convict charged about $17,000 for RN certificates and between $6,000 and $10,000 for LPN qualifications, with total losses exceeding $1.5 million.
Authorities warned that the operation posed a serious threat to public safety, as it allowed unqualified individuals to seek licences and work as nurses, thereby exposing patients to significant health risks.
One of the co-conspirators, Bangura, had earlier been sentenced to 13 months in prison for his role in the fraud.
Hayes commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General for their efforts in uncovering the scheme, while also acknowledging Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan S. McKoy for prosecuting the case.
