News Article
22 May 2009
A woman who pretended to be Dutch to get a university nursing place and over £36,000 in NHS student bursaries was today sentenced to a total of 12 months’ imprisonment for fraud at Harrow Crown Court (22nd May).
Aisha Badamasi pleaded guilty to all charges at Brent Magistrates Court: one offence of using a false instrument (Section 3, Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981) and 5 offences of False Accounting (Section 17 Theft Act 1968).
Badamasi started an Adult Nursing Diploma at London South Bank University (LSBU) in September 2004, having falsely declared she was a Dutch national born in the Netherlands (therefore an EU National) in all her application forms. On other forms however, she gave her true nationality.
In November 2004 she deceived again when applying for an NHS bursary, presenting photocopied pages from a Dutch passport.
As a result she received a £9,704.00 bursary for living expenses for the 2004/05 academic year; and later £9,318.75 for 2005/06; £11,156.00 for 2006/07 and £6,073.98 for 2007/08. In total, £36,252.73 to which she was not entitled. Had she declared her true nationality and immigration status, Badamasi would not have been eligible for an NHS bursary.
The Borders & Immigration Agency confirmed Badamasi was a Nigerian national without leave to remain in the UK at the time she applied to LSBU and claimed her bursary (she was not granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK until November 2007).
Following an investigation by NHS Counter Fraud, Badamasi was arrested and interviewed in October 2008. The investigation also revealed that she had been living with her partner yet she had declared on her bursary application she was a single parent with no partner.
Kevin Cane, London Operational Fraud Manager of NHS Counter Fraud, said: “Valuable NHS resources must not be lost to fraud, whether through bursaries or any other means. As we can see from today’s verdict the court has also taken a dim view of this fraudster’s actions. We will continue to take action against anyone who believes they can steal money from the NHS.”
For more information contact James Robertson at the NHS CF press office on 020 7895 4524/ 4523. Out of hours mobile 07717 851 926
Further information on NHS CF can be found at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/CounterFraud.aspx
Notes to Editors
1. NHS Counter Fraud (NHS CF) - a service of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) - was established to tackle fraud and corruption throughout the NHS and DH whether it involves professionals, staff, patients or contractors. It aims to create a lasting anti-fraud culture.
2. Around 319 professionally-trained and accredited Local Counter Fraud Specialists are in place covering every health body in England and Wales. They are supported nationally and regionally by NHS CF. NHS CF investigations produced potential savings to the NHS of £7,565,014 during 2007-08.
3. In 2007-08 the NHS CF successfully prosecuted 57 criminal cases with a 96% success rate.
4. To report any incident of suspected fraud in the NHS, please call the Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line on 0800 028 40 60.