A medical locum who used a false visa stamp to obtain work as a cardiology technician at Boston Pilgrim Hospital has been sentenced to 16 months imprisonment at Nottingham Crown Court (Friday 9th October 2009) following an investigation by the NHS Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS).
Akinjide Akinleye, 45, pleaded guilty to seven charges relating to his falsified passport, which he presented to a number of job agencies.
He was charged with one count of Using a False Instrument With Intent, contrary to Section 3 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981; three counts of Obtaining a Pecuniary Advantage by Deception, contrary to section 16(1) of the Theft Act 1968; two counts of Fraud (Making a False Representation, contrary to section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006); and one count of Possession of False Identity Documents with Intent, contrary to section 25(1)(a) of the Identity Cards Act 2006.
He was sentenced to 16 months for each offence, to run concurrently. He was also recommended for deportation and served with a £50,000 confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Akinleye worked at Boston Pilgrim Hospital from July to December 2008. During this time suspicions arose that he had been dishonest when applying for the job, and he was reported to the NHS Counter Fraud Service. It was established that he had produced false documents when registering with the locum agency that placed him at the hospital. He had shown the agency a Nigerian passport containing a false visa, indicating he had indefinite leave to remain in the UK. This was not the case and Akinleye was therefore not entitled to work.
Allan Carter, Head of Operations, NHS Counter Fraud Service, said today: “The NHS Counter Fraud Service is pleased to see another investigation reach successful conclusion. This sentence has a deterrent effect on others who might contemplate dishonesty when applying for jobs with the NHS. We take all reports of suspected fraud seriously and will thoroughly investigate, and prosecute where appropriate.”
The investigation was assisted by a joint UK Border Agency/Nottinghamshire Police crime team.
Gail Adams, UK Border Agency regional director, said:
"The sentence demonstrates our determination to tackle those who commit immigration crime. We will continue to work shoulder-to-shoulder with the police and other partner agencies to identify criminal activity and stamp out any abuses of the immigration system.”
-ENDS-
For more information contact James Robertson or Daryl Barrett at the NHS CFS 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.The agencies Akinleye deceived were Mediplacements Limited; Your World Recruitment Ltd; LCI Contracts Ltd, Healthcare Locums PLC - previously known as 'Medical Professionals' and LabMed Ltd, a subsidiary of the Maxxima Group UK.
2. The NHS Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS) - a service of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) - was established to tackle fraud and corruption throughout the NHS and Department of Health whether it involves professionals, staff, patients or contractors. It aims to create a lasting anti-fraud culture.
3. Around 319 professionally-trained and accredited Local Counter Fraud Specialists are in place covering every health body in England and Wales.
4.The NHS Counter Fraud Service has a network of teams who deal with complex, high value and cross boundary NHS frauds. In 2007-08 NHS CFS saved the NHS £7,565,014
5. In 2007-08 the NHS CFS successfully prosecuted 57 criminal cases with a 96% success rate.
6. To report any incident of suspected fraud in the NHS, please call the Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line on 0800 028 40 60.