Nigerian man jailed in U.S. for $1 million health insurance fraud scheme

In addition to his prison term, the 37-year-old was ordered to pay $655,313 in restitution and forfeit $396,998 in illicit proceeds. Upon completing his sentence, Ezeonyido will also serve three years of supervised release, the Vanguard reports.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), between October 2019 and February 2022, Ezeonyido filed fraudulent claims with five different insurance companies, falsely asserting that he and at least seven others had received emergency medical treatment abroad for serious injuries, including gunshot wounds, stabbings, and car accidents.

However, investigators found that in nearly all cases, the individuals were in the United States at the time of the supposed overseas treatments. The DOJ described the claims as "fabricated, high-cost medical scenarios" that enabled the conspirators to obtain significant reimbursements from insurers.

“Ezeonyido was arrested and charged in July 2024, along with co-conspirators Brendon Ashe, Aqiyla Atherton, Darline Cobbler, and Ariel Lambert,” the DOJ said. While Ezeonyido was later indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2024, his four co-defendants pleaded guilty and received probation for their roles in the scheme.

The fraudulent operation involved the use of fake medical documents, claims of out-of-pocket payments abroad, and carefully coordinated kickbacks. Several participants paid portions of their insurance payouts back to Ezeonyido and other intermediaries, including Atherton, who was accused of recruiting others into the scheme.

“Healthcare fraud affects every American through increased premiums and reduced trust in the system,” said U.S. Attorney Foley.

He warned that the DOJ remains committed to aggressively prosecuting such crimes.

Source: gobalsouthworld.com