A Nigerian national, Patrick Nwaokwu, has been sentenced to 21 months in a United States federal prison for his involvement in a scheme that sold fake nursing diplomas, transcripts, and licences.
Nwaokwu, a resident of Laurel, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman after pleading guilty to wire fraud. In addition to his prison term, he will serve two years under supervised release.
According to U.S. authorities, Nwaokwu worked with several accomplices to defraud individuals and regulatory bodies within the healthcare system. Investigations revealed that he helped sell fraudulent academic documents and assisted buyers in obtaining nursing licences under false pretences.
Court records show that the operation, which began around 2018, involved recruiting individuals seeking nursing qualifications and issuing them fake credentials that suggested they had completed required training and coursework.
The scheme was carried out through multiple institutions, including a Virginia-based school and the Palm Beach School of Nursing in Florida. Authorities estimate that the fraud led to losses exceeding $1.5 million.
Investigators also disclosed that after one of the institutions lost its accreditation, Nwaokwu and his associates backdated documents to make it appear as though clients had attended before the licence was revoked.
In a related arrangement, he collaborated with two Florida-based accomplices to sell fraudulent Registered Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse certificates to buyers, particularly in Maryland. Prices reportedly ranged from $6,000 to $17,000, depending on the qualification.
Prosecutors said the scheme allowed unqualified individuals to secure nursing licences and gain employment in healthcare, posing serious risks to patients’ safety.
Authorities warned that the actions of the group exposed patients to potential harm, including the risk of serious injury or death due to unqualified medical care.
One of Nwaokwu’s co-conspirators had earlier been sentenced to 13 months in prison for their role in the operation.
The investigation was led by federal law enforcement agencies, with prosecutors commending their efforts in bringing those involved to justice.
