Long Island Con Artist Defrauds Medicaid, Lives Luxuriously

A con artist from Long Island, identified as Nduka Ruiz Ekpenyong, has been accused of pilfering $2.6 million through a Medicaid fraud scheme that adversely affected infants reliant on specialized formula. Authorities revealed the details of the scheme on Monday.

The 36-year-old allegedly provided low-quality Pediasure to impoverished infants—those who actually required a more expensive specialty formula. He reportedly billed the government for the pricier formula while pocketing the difference, according to New York’s Attorney General, Letitia James.

“While Mr. Ekpenyong was indulging in luxury cars funded by money he stole from Medicaid, affected families struggled to provide essential nutrition for their children,” James remarked in a press statement.

In addition to the mansion, his lavish lifestyle included a Bentley and other expensive vehicles. Eyewitnesses noticed extravagant renovations to his home, such as an outdoor kitchen, a marble fountain, and a bright red basketball court featuring his initials.

Interestingly, he also splurged on a $33,000 Mercedes for his girlfriend, who was also on Medicaid—an action that adds another layer to the alleged wrongdoing.

Prosecutors are pursuing nearly $7.6 million in damages from Ekpenyong, which includes the $2.6 million tied to fraudulent Medicaid claims. Reports suggest that he operated this scheme through his Brooklyn-based company, Duke Medical LLC, from April 2023 until July 2025.

Clinics occasionally ordered expensive formula from him for underprivileged children, only to find that his company couldn’t supply the correct brands. Instead, families received basic over-the-counter products. James noted, “The fraudulent actions of Duke Medical meant that many families in need were denied the formula prescribed by their pediatricians.”

“This case is a clear warning to those who exploit Medicaid; we will take legal action against them with full force,” she concluded.