A joint federal law enforcement operation recently brought down a massive scheme to sell false and fraudulent nursing degree credentials. The scheme involved more than $100 million worth of fake nursing diplomas and transcripts that were sold to thousands of people to bypass the qualifying requirements necessary to sit for the national nursing board exam. The conspiracy, which had been going on for years, involved the distribution of 7,600 fake nursing diplomas and certificates issued by Florida-based nursing programs. The large-scale enforcement spanned more than Florida though, including the states of New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Delaware, and resulting in more than two dozen wire fraud conspiracy charges against 25 individuals.

Law enforcement officials emphasized the high stakes involved in that this fraud potentially jeopardized patients’ health and safety. “What is disturbing about the scheme is the possibility of harm coming to patients under the dubious care of one of these allegedly fraudulent nurses,” acting Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough, FBI Miami, said.

This action comes at a difficult time for the health care industry, where there is already an existing nurse shortage. But it also stresses the importance of thorough background checks, using an accredited firm that has the resources and knowledge to understand when credentials are not what they appear to be.

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