Five Nigerian fraudsters have been sentenced to a combined total of 1,549 months (129 years) in prison for orchestrating a multimillion-dollar scam targeting at least 100 victims in the United States.
The U.S. federal court in Texas handed down the sentences on Monday to Damilola Kumapayi, Sandra Iribhogbe, Edgal Iribhogbe, Chidindu Okeke, and Chiagoziem Okeke after they pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, the group operated a sophisticated transnational crime syndicate that used various fraudulent schemes. These included online romance scams, business email compromise, investor fraud, and unemployment insurance fraud. Their victims were primarily elderly individuals.
The scammers used online dating platforms and other tactics to lure victims and steal their life savings. Acting U.S. Attorney Jay Combs condemned the criminals, saying, “Transnational organised criminals targeting the hard-earned savings of elderly and vulnerable populations are simply despicable.”
Investigations by the FBI, Homeland Security, and other agencies revealed that the syndicate began operating in early 2017. They defrauded individuals, companies, and government entities worldwide of over $17 million. The stolen funds were laundered through multiple bank accounts and transferred to co-conspirators and businesses in Africa and Asia.
FBI Dallas Special Agent Joseph Rothrock emphasized the lasting financial harm inflicted on victims, many of whom lost their life savings. “We hope these sentences give them a sense of comfort and send a clear message that the FBI is committed to pursuing justice for victims,” he said.
The court sentenced Chidindu Okeke, Chiagoziem Okeke, and Edgal Iribhogbe to 40 years each, Sandra Iribhogbe to over 30 years, and Damilola Kumapayi to nine years in prison.
