Zimbabwe sisters sent to prison for £123 000 NHS fraud

Two sisters who lived in the UK illegally for many years, and committed almost identical frauds against the NHS, have each been sentenced to ten months’ imprisonment at Luton Crown Court (Monday 28th June 2010).

This follows two linked investigations by the NHS Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS), which is liaising with Bedfordshire Police to confiscate their gains under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Thoko Sarah Nkosi, 37, of Leicester Close, Corby and Charity Tose Nkosi, 36, of Birchen Grove, Luton, earlier pleaded guilty to seven and six charges respectively. Both used false documents to gain NHS bursaries and nursing places at the University of Bedfordshire, defrauding nearly £123,000 between them.

They had planned to move to Australia and work there as nurses after qualifying but were arrested on 15th April 2010, with the assistance of the UK Border Agency.

Thoko defrauded £73,376.90. Her three year nursing diploma, which she completed, cost the East of England Strategic Health Authority (SHA) £18,544.25. She also obtained an NHS Student Bursary of £49,432.65 covering three years, plus £5,400 from the University of Bedfordshire HE Access to Learning Fund.

Her younger sister Charity defrauded £49,146.56. She completed two years of the same course, which cost the East of England SHA around £15,997. She obtained an NHS Student Bursary of £29,954.56, covering two years, plus £3,195 from the University of Bedfordshire HE Access to Learning Fund.

Thoko Nkosi used a false Malawian passport to obtain her university place and NHS bursary. It contained forged Home Office stamps and visas, to make it appear that she had indefinite leave to remain in the UK. She also used a false Home Office letter which stated she had indefinite leave to remain. Her Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service application contained false details. She fabricated the evidence to meet the strict residency conditions that must be met to study on the course and receive an NHS bursary.

For the same reasons, Charity Nkosi used a false South African passport to obtain her place and NHS bursary. It contained a false residence permit showing indefinite leave to remain in the UK. She had expected to qualify as a nurse this month, but was prevented from completing the course as a result of the fraud investigation.

Thoko Nkosi was registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in the UK, and made a successful application to the Nurses Board of Victoria to work in Australia. The Nursing and Midwifery Council will be asked to rescind the validation certificate it issued to the Nurses Board of Victoria. The University of Bedfordshire has been asked to consider rescinding the qualification it awarded.
Allan Yates,  Counter Fraud Specialist at the NHS CFS Eastern Team, who led the investigation, said:

“The illegal activities of the Nkosi sisters came to light following a proactive fraud prevention review conducted by NHS CFS, in partnership with the University of Bedfordshire and the UK Border Agency.

“Sadly, they had little intention of working in the NHS, despite its heavy investment in their education. As a result of their dishonesty, genuine applicants for these NHS-funded nursing places and bursaries may also have lost out”.

“We encourage people to report any suspicion of fraud against the NHS. Wherever appropriate we will investigate and press for prosecution and the strongest sanctions”.