Okezie Ogbata, a 36-year-old Nigerian man, pleaded guilty to defrauding over 400 elderly and vulnerable victims of more than $6 million in a scheme orchestrated with his co-conspirators. The scam involved convincing victims to pay fees, taxes, and other charges under the false pretense of receiving a multimillion-dollar inheritance from a deceased relative.
The Department of Justice revealed that Ogbata and his accomplices sent fraudulent letters posing as representatives of a Spanish bank, claiming the recipients were entitled to inherit significant sums of money. They were instructed to send money for “delivery fees” and other costs to avoid being questioned by government authorities.
Ogbata admitted to participating in the scheme, which targeted elderly individuals, many of whom were particularly vulnerable. The Justice Department emphasized the importance of international collaboration in combating such transnational fraud, as evidenced by this case.
Ogbata’s sentencing is scheduled for April 14, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Roy Altman, where he faces the possibility of a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for his role in the fraudulent activities.