“Not only is this a public safety concern, it also tarnishes the reputation of nurses who actually complete the demanding clinical and course work required to obtain their professional licenses and employment,” U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe said in a statement. “A fraud scheme like this erodes public trust in our healthcare system.” 

Each of the 25 individuals arrested face up to 20 years in prison. 

“Healthcare fraud is nothing new to South Florida, as many scammers see this as a way to earn easy, though illegal, money, “ acting Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough, FBI Miami, said in the statement. “What is disturbing about this investigation is that there are over 7,600 people around the country with fraudulent nursing credentials who are potentially in critical healthcare roles treating patients. Were it not for the diligence and hard work of the investigators on this case, the extent of this fraud may not have been discovered.”

According to a Jan. 27 report by The New York Times, 37% of the aspiring nurses, or about 2,800 people, who obtained fraudulent diplomas passed the National Council Licensure Examination. Of those who passed, a “significant number” received nursing licenses and got hospital jobs or at other healthcare settings. Additionally, many of the people who obtained the fake degrees, which were purchased for a price between $10,000 and $15,000, already had experience in the healthcare industry, such as working as certified nursing assistants.

While the Justice Department didn’t charge those who had purchase fake diplomas, authorities sent the names of the recipients to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.