Eric Patrick
A U.S. federal court has sentenced five Nigerian nationals to over 159 years in prison for their roles in a sophisticated $17 million fraud scheme targeting over 100 Americans, companies, and government agencies across the United States.
According to a statement released Wednesday, and obtained by First News correspondent on the U.S. Department of Justice website and signed by Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, Ray Combs, the convicted individuals—Damilola Kumapayi, Sandra Iribhogbe, Edgal Iribhogbe, Chidindu Okeke, and Chiagoziem Okeke were members of a transnational organised crime syndicate.
Prosecutors said the group launched their criminal operations in 2017, primarily targeting elderly and vulnerable victims.
They employed a range of deceptive tactics, including romance scams, business email compromise, and other fraudulent schemes to exploit victims, in many cases robbing them of their life savings.
The defendants were arrested and charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering.
All five pleaded guilty to the charges.
Following their guilty pleas, U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant handed down varying sentences, collectively exceeding 159 years, as part of efforts to hold the perpetrators accountable and deter future international fraud.
The case underscores ongoing efforts by U.S. law enforcement to combat cyber-enabled financial crimes and protect vulnerable citizens from transnational fraud rings.
The statement read, “The defendants coordinated how to extract money from their victims, and then how to disguise, disburse, and launder that money once they successfully defrauded their victims.
“The scheme resulted in approximately $17 million fraudulently obtained from at least 100 individual victims, companies, and government entities from across the world.
‘The scheme specifically targeted elderly persons and used various schemes, such as online dating sites, to lure their victims.
“Once funds were obtained from their victims, the defendants laundered the money through a network of various bank accounts and sent money to bank accounts, co-conspirators and businesses located in Africa and Asia.
“Damilola Kumapayi, 39, of Plano, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and was sentenced to 109 months in federal prison.
“Sandra Iribhogbe Popnen, 50, of Plano, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 365 months in federal prison.
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“Edgal Iribhogbe, 51, of Allen, was found guilty at trial of conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 480 months in federal prison,” Combs stated.
“Chidindu Okeke, 32, of Houston, was found guilty at trial of conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 480 months in federal prison.
“Chiagoziem Okeke, 32, of Houston, was found guilty at trial of conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 480 months in federal prison.”
The attorney stated that the sentencing was part of the US efforts to track down fraudsters who prey on its citizens, stressing that America remains resolute in bringing such fraudsters to justice.
“Transnational organised criminals targeting the hard-earned savings of elderly and vulnerable populations are simply despicable.
“The defendants’ lengthy sentences in this case reflect the seriousness of their crimes and the dedication of law enforcement officers and prosecutors to bring them to justice,” Combs concluded.