A U.S. federal court has sentenced five Nigerian nationals to a combined 159 years in prison for their roles in a transnational fraud scheme that defrauded over 100 victims, including individuals, businesses, and government bodies.
The U.S. Department of Justice said the scheme, which began around January 2017, generated $17 million through romance scams, business email compromise, investor fraud, and false unemployment insurance claims. Many victims were elderly and vulnerable.
The convicted individuals; Chidindu Okeke, Chiagoziem Okeke, Edgal Iribhogbe, Sandra Iribhogbe Popnen, and Damilola Kumapayi used fake online relationships, spoofed emails, and fraudulent investment pitches to deceive their targets.
Prosecutors said the stolen funds were laundered through various bank accounts and funneled to accomplices in Africa and Asia.
Following their convictions, U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant sentenced the Okeke brothers and Edgal Iribhogbe to 40 years each. Sandra Popnen received over 30 years, while Kumapayi was sentenced to over 9 years after pleading guilty.
Authorities said many victims lost their life savings and experienced severe emotional harm.