Federal prosecutors in South Florida ended a scheme that sold approximately 15,000 fraudulent nursing credentials to individuals who did not complete the required training. Operation Nightingale targeted a network operated by Haitian immigrants that generated between $220 million and $250 million in total proceeds. Authorities charged 43 individuals involved in the fraud network and secured a 100% conviction rate for all defendants.

Buyers typically paid between $10,000 and $20,000 per diploma and used the fake credentials to pass the NCLEX exam and obtain hospital jobs. Fraudulent nursing licenses were discovered in Florida, New York, Canada, and various Veterans Affairs facilities. State authorities are currently revoking the licenses of those who used the diploma mill, while the convicted operators spent their proceeds on luxury cars, vacations, and designer clothing.