Nigerian Man Sentenced to Over Two Years in U.S. for $1 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme

A Nigerian man, Henry Ezeonyido, 37, has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison in Boston for masterminding a \$1 million health care fraud scheme. According to a statement by the U.S. Department of Justice on May 21, 2025, Ezeonyido submitted false insurance claims for expensive medical treatments allegedly received abroad, including fabricated injuries like stabbings, gunshot wounds, and hit-and-run accidents. In reality, the individuals involved were in the United States during the supposed incidents.

Ezeonyido, who lives in Taunton, Boston, pleaded guilty in February 2025 to conspiracy and multiple counts of health care fraud. He was ordered to pay \$655,313 in restitution and forfeit nearly \$397,000 in illegal proceeds. The scheme ran from October 2019 to February 2022 and involved submitting fraudulent claims on behalf of himself and at least seven others to five different insurance companies. Some participants knowingly joined the fraud, while others were unaware or manipulated into providing their insurance information.

The scheme involved submitting fake medical records, bank statements, and police reports to support the false claims. Payments totaling approximately \$655,313 were made by the insurance companies for services that never occurred. Ezeonyido shared the proceeds with co-conspirators, who were also sentenced to probation after pleading guilty.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie A. Wright of the Health Care Fraud Unit, with investigations led by the FBI Boston Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Insurance Fraud Bureau. U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and other officials announced the sentencing.