A Nigerian national, Patrick Nwaokwu, has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison in the United States for his involvement in a large-scale scheme involving fraudulent nursing diplomas, transcripts, and professional licences.
The sentencing was announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland following a federal court ruling. In addition to the prison sentence, Nwaokwu was also handed a two-year supervised release after completing his term.
According to U.S. prosecutors, Nwaokwu was part of a network that sold fake nursing credentials to individuals seeking employment in the healthcare sector. Authorities said the operation enabled buyers to obtain fraudulent academic records and use them to secure nursing licences required to work in the United States.
Court documents revealed that Nwaokwu operated through multiple entities, including a Virginia-based institution and another nursing school in Florida, helping facilitate the sale of falsified documents. Investigators say the scheme generated more than $1.5 million in losses.
Officials noted that the fraud posed a serious threat to public safety, as unqualified individuals were allegedly able to enter the healthcare workforce using fake credentials. Prosecutors warned that such actions exposed patients to potential harm, including serious injury and even risk of death.
Authorities said Nwaokwu charged as much as $17,000 for registered nurse certificates and between $6,000 and $10,000 for licensed practical nurse certificates. Buyers were reportedly guided on how to manipulate licensing applications to avoid detection.
Investigators further revealed that some of the fraudulent documents were backdated to make it appear that recipients had graduated before certain institutions lost their accreditation or licences.
The scheme reportedly began around 2018, with Nwaokwu working alongside several co-conspirators, including Musa Bangura, who had earlier been sentenced to 13 months in prison for his role in the operation.
Fraudulent credentials linked to the scheme were allegedly used to obtain licences from regulatory agencies such as the Maryland Board of Nursing, allowing unqualified individuals to gain employment in the healthcare system.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Baltimore Field Office in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
The case has once again drawn attention to vulnerabilities in credential verification systems and the broader risks posed by healthcare fraud, particularly when it compromises patient safety and public trust.
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