MIAMI, Fla. (CBS12) – Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, a 36-year-old Nigerian national, has pleaded guilty in a Miami federal courtroom for his role in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded more than 400 elderly Americans out of over $6 million.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Ogbata was a part of a network that targeted vulnerable individuals by sending personalized letters falsely claiming to represent a Spanish bank. The fraudulent letters promised recipients a multimillion-dollar inheritance from a deceased overseas relative. However, the victims were deceived into believing they had to pay for various fees, taxes, and other charges in order to receive the inheritance, which were never delivered.
According to court documents, the fraudsters used a network of former U.S.-based victims who had already been scammed. These individuals were manipulated into forwarding the funds they received to the fraudsters, furthering the scope of the deception.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida remarked, “The long arm of the American justice system has no limits when it comes to reaching fraudsters who prey on our nation’s most vulnerable populations, including the elderly.”
Ogbata pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and he is scheduled for sentencing on April 14 by U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for his actions.
This case is part of a broader investigation into an international fraud scheme. Six other co-conspirators, including individuals from the United Kingdom, Spain, and Nigeria, have already been convicted and sentenced. Sentences for these co-conspirators range from 82 to 128 months in prison for their involvement in the fraud operation.
The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover further details of the international network behind this extensive fraud scheme targeting vulnerable populations.
