U.S. court hands lengthy jail terms to 5 Nigerians in $17m fraud case
By : ‘Sola Richards
Flags of Nigeria and the United States.
A federal court in Sherman, Texas, has sentenced five Nigerians to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in a coordinated fraud operation that spanned several years and targeted victims across the globe.
The scheme, which began around 2017, involved romance scams, business email compromise, investor fraud, and unemployment insurance fraud, ultimately defrauding over 100 victims of approximately $17 million.
The defendants—residents of Texas—used a network of fake identities and online platforms to deceive individuals, particularly the elderly, into transferring funds. Once the money was obtained, it was laundered through a series of domestic and international bank accounts, including those in Africa and Asia.
U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III presided over the sentencing on June 16. Among those sentenced were Edgal Iribhogbe, Chidindu Okeke, and Chiagoziem Okeke, each receiving 40-year prison terms. Sandra Iribhogbe was sentenced to just over 30 years, while Damilola Kumapayi received a nine-year sentence.
Federal prosecutors described the operation as a transnational criminal enterprise that preyed on vulnerable populations. Law enforcement officials from multiple agencies, including the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations, collaborated on the case.
Authorities emphasized that the sentences reflect the scale of the fraud and the impact on victims, many of whom lost their life savings.
“The defendants were part of a transnational organized crime syndicate that defrauded victims collectively out of millions of dollars. For some individuals, this was their life savings, and they were unable to financially recover,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We hope these sentences give them a sense of comfort and sends a clear message that the FBI is committed to pursuing justice for victims.”
The case forms part of Operation Take Back America, a broader federal initiative aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations and protecting communities from financial and violent crimes.
GUARDIAN Newspapers