Five Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to a total of 129 years in prison by a U.S. federal court for their roles in a complex $17 million international fraud syndicate that targeted over 100 victims, mostly elderly Americans.
The convicted fraudsters — Damilola Kumapayi, Sandra Iribhogbe, Edgal Iribhogbe, Chidindu Okeke, and Chiagoziem Okeke — were found guilty of operating an elaborate web of deception involving romance scams, business email compromise (BEC), unemployment insurance fraud, and fake investment schemes.
Delivering judgment on Monday, U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant of the Eastern District of Texas handed down heavy sentences following the convicts’ guilty pleas to multiple counts of wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft.
Court records showed that the syndicate began its criminal operations around January 2017, defrauding individuals, companies, and government institutions.
The group exploited vulnerable targets, particularly senior citizens, by preying on their emotions through fake online relationships and investment opportunities.
Three members of the group — Chidindu Okeke, Chiagoziem Okeke, and Edgal Iribhogbe — were each sentenced to 40 years in prison. Sandra Iribhogbe received a sentence of more than 30 years, while Kumapayi was sentenced to nine years.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, Jay Combs, described the case as a win for justice. “Transnational organised criminals targeting the hard-earned savings of elderly and vulnerable populations are simply despicable,” he said.
“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.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security, and other U.S. law enforcement agencies coordinated the investigation that led to the syndicate’s arrest and prosecution.
According to investigators, the fraudulently obtained funds were laundered through an intricate network of bank accounts and subsequently funneled to co-conspirators in Africa and Asia.
“These criminals stole millions from people who often lost their life savings,” said Joseph Rothrock, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Dallas. “We hope these sentences bring some comfort to the victims and send a clear message to international fraudsters that the FBI will not relent.”
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