Isaiah Okere, a 42-year-old Nigerian national, has pleaded guilty to internet fraud that defrauded over 15 Americans and organizations of more than $1 million. Appearing before U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman in New York, Okere admitted to his involvement in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, disclosed that Okere worked with members of the transnational criminal organization, Black Axe. Together, they executed romance scams, lottery fraud, and business email compromise (BEC) schemes, preying on vulnerable individuals, especially the elderly. Some victims lost their entire life savings, and one reported becoming suicidal after being defrauded.
Okere, who was arrested in South Africa in December 2021 and extradited to the U.S. in August 2024, faces up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The scams, which began in 2015, continued until November 2019.
In addition to romance schemes, Okere and his associates carried out fraudulent lottery scams and business email compromise frauds, including impersonating a corporate founder to steal company funds.
His accomplice, Timy Hakim, was sentenced to two years in prison in 2023 and ordered to pay over $1.4 million in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Williams emphasized that the case demonstrates the global reach of the law, ensuring that fraudsters like Okere will face justice in the U.S. for their crimes.