A 55-year-old Nigerian man, Patrick Nwaokwu, has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison in the United States for his role in a large-scale fraud scheme involving fake nursing credentials.
The sentence was handed down by Deborah L. Boardman after Nwaokwu pleaded guilty to wire fraud. In addition to the prison term, he will serve two years of supervised release.
According to prosecutors, Nwaokwu was part of a network that sold fraudulent nursing diplomas and academic transcripts to individuals seeking to enter the healthcare sector without proper qualifications.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes said the scheme enabled buyers to falsely claim they had completed required coursework and clinical training, allowing them to pursue professional licensing.
Court documents revealed that the operation began in 2018 and targeted individuals across Maryland and other parts of the United States. Nwaokwu and his associates distributed falsified documents linked to a now-defunct institution, backdating records to make them appear legitimate.
Investigators said he worked closely with Musa Bangura, as well as collaborators including Johanah Napoleon and Geralda Adrien, to sell fake Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certificates through a Florida-based nursing school.
As part of the scheme, buyers were instructed to list the school on their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) applications while leaving graduation dates blank, allowing records to be manipulated to appear valid.
Prosecutors disclosed that Nwaokwu charged approximately $17,000 for RN certificates and between $6,000 and $10,000 for LPN credentials. The fraudulent operation generated over $1.5 million in proceeds.
Authorities warned that the scheme posed serious public safety risks, as unqualified individuals were able to obtain licenses and work in healthcare settings, potentially endangering patients.
One of his co-conspirators, Bangura, had earlier been sentenced to 13 months in prison for his role in the case.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan S. McKoy handled the prosecution.
Officials say the case underscores ongoing efforts to clamp down on professional credential fraud and protect the integrity of the healthcare system
