A Nigerian national based in the United States, Patrick Nwaokwu, has been sentenced to nearly two years in federal prison for his involvement in a widespread scheme that provided fake nursing credentials to unqualified individuals.
The sentence was handed down by Deborah L. Boardman, who ordered Nwaokwu to serve 21 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release after he admitted guilt to wire fraud charges.
According to prosecutors, Nwaokwu participated in a conspiracy that sold counterfeit nursing diplomas and academic records to people seeking entry into the healthcare profession. Investigations revealed that he and his associates issued falsified documents indicating that recipients had completed required coursework and clinical training, even though they had not.
The fraudulent operation, which began around 2018, involved recruiting clients in Maryland and other locations willing to pay for fake qualifications. Nwaokwu worked alongside accomplices, including Musa Bangura, distributing documents from a defunct institution and backdating them to make it appear the recipients graduated before the school lost its accreditation.
Authorities also found that he collaborated with others to market fake Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certificates linked to a Florida-based nursing school. Buyers were instructed to include the institution in their licensing applications while omitting graduation dates, allowing the records to be adjusted to appear legitimate.
Prosecutors said the scheme generated over $1.5 million, with Nwaokwu charging about $17,000 for RN certificates and between $6,000 and $10,000 for LPN credentials.
Officials warned that the operation posed serious risks to public safety, as it allowed unqualified individuals to obtain licences and work as nurses, potentially endangering patients’ lives.
One of his co-conspirators had earlier received a 13-month prison sentence. Authorities also credited the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services for their roles in uncovering the fraud and supporting the prosecution.