Crime
FBI uncovers romance fraud syndicate based in Nigeria, arrests 11 Nigerians
No fewer than 11 Nigerians living in the US have been indicted by a US federal grand jury for defrauding elderly victims in romance schemes.
The fraudsters targeted elderly victims, including widows and the divorced.
According to court documents, the defendants are: David Animashaun, 38; Oluwalobamise Michael Moses, 40; Irabor Fatarr Musa, 51; Ijeoma Okoro, 31; Chukwemeka Orji, 36; Emanuel Stanley Orji, 35; Frederick Orji, 37; Uwadiale Esezobor, 36; Victor Idowu, 36; Afeez Abiola Alao, 37; and Ambrose Sunday Ohide, 47.
They were arrested Wednesday morning by the FBI in DFW, Eastern District of Texas, Dallas, Lubbock, Los Angeles and charged in the Northern District of Texas for alleged fraud conspiracy, money laundering, mail & wire fraud conspiracy.
The indictment added that the 11 had ties to an international syndicate in Nigeria.
The defendants, if convicted, face up to 30 years in federal prison on the wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy counts.
This is as the FBI estimated that more than 20,000 people lost more than $600 million in romance scams in 2020 alone.
-
Business1 week agoHow Ethiopian Airlines is challenging Africa’s aviation narrative through self-reliance
-
Sports1 day agoSenegal opens Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, Africa’s first Olympic event
-
Latest4 days agoTinubu endorses Nigeria’s participation in 2026 World Travel Market London
-
Latest7 days agoPastor Chris to lead special family prayers as Healing Streams grand finale holds today
-
Crime6 days agoPassengers feared abducted on Kebbi-Abuja journey as viral video shows armed men threatening captives (VIDEO)
-
Featured7 days agoKaduna APC rally sparks row over turnout, alleged rented crowd and AI disinformation
-
News6 days agoRugby: Borthwick Faces Key Selection Questions as World Cup Looms
-
Featured3 days agoHow court ruling reshapes APC’s Imo West Senatorial contest