A Nigerian national, Patrick Nwaokwu, has been sentenced to 21 months in a U.S. federal prison for his involvement in a scheme that sold fake nursing diplomas, transcripts, and licences.
Nwaokwu, based in Laurel, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman after pleading guilty to wire fraud. He will also serve two years of supervised release after completing his prison term.
According to the FBI, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Kelly Hayes, said Nwaokwu worked with others to defraud individuals and healthcare regulators.
Court records show he participated in a network that sold fraudulent nursing credentials and helped buyers obtain licences required to secure jobs in the healthcare sector.
Investigators revealed that the operation ran through multiple entities, including a Virginia-based institution referred to as Nursing School 1 and the Palm Beach School of Nursing in Florida, causing losses exceeding $1.5 million.
Beginning in 2018, Nwaokwu collaborated with Musa Bangura, a 67-year-old from Virginia, to recruit individuals seeking nursing qualifications. They issued fake documents claiming recipients had completed necessary coursework and clinical training.
After Nursing School 1 lost its licence, the conspirators reportedly backdated certificates to make it appear that students had attended before the school’s accreditation was revoked.
Nwaokwu also partnered with Johanah Napoleon and Geralda Adrien, both in Florida, to sell fraudulent Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certificates to clients in Maryland.
He charged around $17,000 for RN certificates and between $6,000 and $10,000 for LPN certificates, while guiding buyers on how to manipulate their National Council Licensure Examination applications.
Prosecutors stated that the scheme allowed unqualified individuals to obtain nursing licences and gain employment in healthcare, putting patients at serious risk.
Authorities warned that the fraud “recklessly exposed Maryland patients to potential harm, risk of death, and serious bodily injury.”
One of his accomplices, Musa Bangura, had previously been sentenced to 13 months in prison for his role in the scheme.
U.S. Attorney Hayes praised the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General for their investigative efforts, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan S. McKoy for prosecuting the case.
