A Nigerian student residing in the United Kingdom has been convicted after unlawfully securing employment in National Health Service (NHS) hospitals using forged identification, despite having no formal medical or healthcare training.
The defendant, 30-year-old Oluwabunmu Adeleiyi, was living in Cardiff on a student visa when she obtained work as a healthcare support worker at Neath Port Talbot Hospital and the Caswell Clinic in Bridgend.
Proceedings at the Cardiff Crown Court revealed that Adeleiyi collaborated with two other individuals to use shared fake identity documents to obtain hospital shifts through recruitment agencies. The trio reportedly submitted fraudulent timesheets, resulting in losses of approximately £16,000 per month to the NHS.
Adeleiyi pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud by false representation.
The court sentenced her to 10 months’ imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently. However, the sentence was suspended for two years. She was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid community service.
The fraudulent scheme was uncovered after hospital staff noticed discrepancies on Adeleiyi’s identification card at the end of a night shift, prompting an internal review.
Further investigations revealed that Adeleiyi had accessed confidential patient records, locked restricted wards, and performed duties she was not qualified to handle. The court was told that she lacked training in key areas, including patient restraint.
Health officials warned that her unauthorised actions posed serious risks to patient safety, describing the potential consequences as “catastrophic” had the deception gone undetected.
Authorities said the case highlights ongoing concerns about identity fraud within healthcare staffing systems and the importance of rigorous verification processes.