A Nigerian man, Patrick Nwaokwu, from Laurel, Maryland, has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison in the United States for his involvement in a scheme selling fraudulent nursing diplomas, transcripts, and licenses. U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman imposed the sentence, which also includes two years of supervised release, after Nwaokwu pleaded guilty to wire fraud.
FBI Exposes Nursing Diploma Fraud Scheme
According to a statement posted on the FBI's X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Kelly Hayes, stated that Nwaokwu conspired with others to defraud individuals and regulatory bodies within the healthcare system. Court documents revealed that Nwaokwu “conspired with others to sell fraudulent nursing diplomas and educational transcripts to individuals” and also “assisted the purchasers with fraudulently obtaining nursing licensures they needed to attain employment in the health care field.”
Scheme Details and Financial Losses
Investigators reported that Nwaokwu operated the scheme through multiple entities, including a Virginia-based institution referred to as Nursing School 1 and the Palm Beach School of Nursing in Florida. The fraudulent activities resulted in losses exceeding $1.5 million. Starting in 2018, Nwaokwu collaborated with Musa Bangura, 67, of Virginia, to recruit individuals seeking nursing qualifications, selling them fake documents that falsely indicated completion of required coursework and clinical training. Because Nursing School 1 had lost its license, Nwaokwu and his accomplice backdated documents “to make it appear that they attended Nursing School 1 before it lost its licensure.”
Collaboration with Florida-Based Conspirators
In a related arrangement, Nwaokwu worked with Johanah Napoleon, 50, and Geralda Adrien, 56, both from Florida, to sell fraudulent Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certificates to buyers in Maryland. He reportedly charged approximately $17,000 for RN certificates and between $6,000 and $10,000 for LPN certificates, instructing buyers to manipulate their National Council Licensure Examination applications.
Risks to Patients and Healthcare System
Prosecutors emphasized that the scheme allowed unqualified individuals to obtain nursing licenses and secure jobs in healthcare, thereby endangering lives. “The scheme enabled these unqualified individuals to apply for licensure and practice as nurses,” authorities said, adding that the actions “consciously and recklessly exposed Maryland patients to potential harm, risk of death, and serious bodily injury.”
Sentencing of Co-Conspirators
One of Nwaokwu's co-conspirators, Musa Bangura, was previously sentenced to 13 months in federal prison for his role in the fraud. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General for their investigative work, and acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan S. McKoy for prosecuting the case.
Related Case: US-Based Nigerian Man Arrested in Los Angeles
In a separate incident, a 53-year-old Nigerian national, Olatunde Abiodun Olusanjo, was arrested in Los Angeles by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with authorities confirming he faces deportation proceedings. Olusanjo was taken into custody on April 21, 2026, by ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations unit and remains in detention as officials proceed with efforts to remove him from the United States.
