Nigerian health fraud charges lead to shocking $14bn crackdown as US indicts Olatunbosun Osukoya and 323 others in a historic sweep across 50 districts

A Nigerian man, Olatunbosun Osukoya, has been charged in the United States alongside 323 others following a major crackdown on widespread health care fraud schemes.

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According to the US Department of Justice, the fraudulent activities have caused at least $14 billion in intended losses.

The DOJ, in a statement released on Thursday, said the 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants.

These included 96 licensed professionals such as doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. The charges span 50 federal districts and involve 12 State Attorneys General’s Offices.

Olatunbosun Osukoya, aged 67, was specifically named for his role as the owner of a diagnostic company called Cambridge Diagnostics. He allegedly submitted more than $25 million in false medical claims to Medicare, TRICARE, and other health insurers.

The indictment outlined that Osukoya targeted individuals with valid insurance and persuaded them to undergo costly electroencephalogram (EEG) testing. He then paid bribes and kickbacks to medical professionals to ensure referrals to his laboratory.

“Olatunbosun Osukoya, 67, of Plano, Texas, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with the submission of over $25 million in false and fraudulent medical claims,” the statement read.

The DOJ further revealed that Osukoya disguised illegal payments by labelling them as consultancy fees, loans, or payments for medical directorships. The fraud involved falsifying medical diagnoses to make the expensive EEG tests appear necessary.

Investigators allege that Cambridge Diagnostics received more than \$5 million in payments related to the fraudulent claims. Of that, over $450,000 was distributed in illegal kickbacks.

Speaking on the development, a DOJ official stated, “This takedown is one of the largest and most coordinated enforcement actions in the history of the department. We are sending a clear message that exploiting patients and defrauding the healthcare system will not be tolerated.”

This sweeping crackdown reflects the US government’s intensified focus on rooting out healthcare-related crimes, particularly those involving the misuse of federal healthcare programmes.

Osukoya, if convicted, could face severe penalties including imprisonment and financial restitution. The DOJ is continuing its investigation and has encouraged members of the public with relevant information to come forward.

The announcement comes just days after another Nigerian national, Newton Ofioritse Jemide, was sentenced to three years and five months in a separate $8 million disaster fraud case. Jemide, who had been extradited from France, was convicted for obtaining federal grants under false pretences.

Authorities maintain that these cases highlight the transnational nature of modern fraud and the collaborative effort needed to combat it.

“This kind of fraud knows no borders. Our commitment to protect the integrity of our healthcare system and our taxpayers’ money remains firm,” said an official familiar with the case.

While legal proceedings are ongoing, the DOJ reiterated its stance on prosecuting all individuals found to have knowingly participated in fraudulent medical schemes.

These charges form part of a larger operation aimed at curbing fraud in federal health care programmes and holding accountable those who betray public trust.

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With Nigerian health fraud charges now grabbing global attention, both legal observers and the Nigerian diaspora are watching closely for further developments.