A United States District Court has sentenced a Nigerian-born man, Patrick Nwaokwu, to 21 months in federal prison for his role in a multimillion-dollar nursing diploma fraud scheme.
The sentence was handed down by Deborah L. Boardman, who also ordered two years of supervised release after his prison term.
The announcement was made by Kelly O. Hayes, alongside officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Baltimore Field Office and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
According to court documents, Nwaokwu, 55, conspired with several accomplices to sell fake nursing diplomas and academic transcripts to individuals seeking employment in the healthcare sector. He also assisted buyers in fraudulently obtaining professional licenses required to work as nurses.
Authorities said the scheme, which ran from 2018 through at least 2021, generated over $1.5 million in losses. Nwaokwu carried out the operation through multiple institutions, including a now-defunct Virginia-based nursing school and the Palm Beach School of Nursing.
Investigators revealed that the syndicate issued falsified documents claiming that recipients had completed required coursework and clinical training. Because one of the schools had already lost its accreditation, the group backdated certificates to make them appear legitimate.
Nwaokwu worked closely with accomplices, including Musa Bangura, who helped recruit clients across Maryland and other states. He also partnered with Florida-based collaborators to distribute fraudulent Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certificates.
The fraudulent credentials were sold at steep prices, with RN certificates costing as much as $17,000 and LPN qualifications ranging between $6,000 and $10,000.
Prosecutors disclosed that buyers were instructed to manipulate their applications for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to avoid detection, enabling them to obtain licenses from regulatory bodies such as the Maryland Board of Nursing.
Officials warned that the scheme posed a serious public safety threat, as unqualified individuals were able to practice in the healthcare system, potentially endangering patients’ lives.
One of the co-conspirators, Bangura, had earlier been sentenced to 13 months in prison for his involvement in the fraud.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE