FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – Fort Bend County authorities say since 2014, Ubadire Sampson Anosike ran an operation out of his Fort Bend County residence to issue fake CPR certification cards to Texas residents.
Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Rodney Glendening said about a month ago, a resident, Erica Washington, came forward to say that her CPR instruction permit information had been used in a fraudulent manner.
For seven years, authorities said Anosike sold the fake cards to hospital and child care employees who require CPR certification or lifesaving techniques. Anosike didn’t have any training or any instructions, but by simply “showing up,” Glendening said.
Investigators conducted a sting on the operation and purchased a card for $65. The undercover officer received no instructions or literature and was inside the house for 10 minutes. Anosike was arrested after the sting.
Authorities said they found a business setting inside the home with a lamination machine and ledgers. The card was made in front of the officer at the scene, authorities said.
Glendening said Anosike admitted during an interview with officers that he had been doing the cards since 2014 and that he has no instruction permit and that it was relinquished in 2014.
There are hundreds of sales of cards documented according to Glendening, but he added that he expects with the seven-year duration of the crimes about a thousand were undocumented.
Washington, a nurse and business owner of Genesis Education & Training, said her permit information was taken and used.
“I have no idea who he is, I don’t know how he got my information, that he would take my name,” she said. “I’ve been in business since 2010, I work very hard to build a reputable business that’s upstanding and provide solid good training to health professionals and in health care management, I know how important it is to provide good quality care, and with CPR, the quicker you respond, the better your chances for survival. And for him to take my information and sell it...and when I sit back and I think about the fact that since 2014, there’s been health care providers that have been sold these cards and if someone really needs it, that these people may not be able to provide what they need to to save a life. And it just breaks my heart.”
Washington said the cards are no longer in paper form -- they are sent electronically, and have been for years. She said if people are giving paper cards, that should be a red flag.
“People are going to get hurt and die. Mr. Anosike...shame on him, shame on you sir,” she said. “...This is life or death. It’s too serious. We’re already amongst this COVID-19, there’s people dying and you add to it, and I’m sorry, but I’m angry. I’m angry.”
KPRC 2 would like to add that it’s unclear whether anyone has died as a result of these cards.
Sheriff Eric Fagan said people need to come forward and that if they do, authorities will work with them. While authorities did not assure that no charges will be made, authorities said it will be better if they come forward rather than be pursued by law enforcement.
Fagan added that if health care companies see Washington’s name on a paper card, it’s likely a fraudulent card.
Also, if people got their card in a 15-minute span, it’s likely a fraudulent card. Training, Fagan said, typically takes two to four hours to complete.
Anosike was released from the Fort Bend County Jail on a $1,000 bond and has been charged with fraudulent use or possession of identification information, which is a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in state jail and a fine not to exceed $10,000.
The FBCSO Fraud Unit cautions employers who are relying on CPR certifications issued by a company named Flex Medical Services of Katy, Texas, that the certifications may have been fraudulently issued. While other legitimate businesses may operate under similar names, employers relying upon such certifications under this name are asked to contact Det. Jason Bell at 281-341-4633 or via email at jason.bell@fortbendcountytx.gov to verify this information.