A United States federal court has sentenced five Nigerian nationals to a combined 159 years in prison for orchestrating a massive $17 million fraud scheme that targeted over 100 victims, including elderly individuals, businesses, and government agencies.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Justice and signed by Ray Combs, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, the convicted individuals—Damilola Kumapayi, Sandra Iribhogbe, Edgal Iribhogbe, Chidindu Okeke, and Chiagoziem Okeke—were part of a transnational organised crime ring operating since 2017.
The fraudsters employed various tactics, including romance scams via online dating platforms, to exploit vulnerable individuals and defraud them of substantial sums—often their life savings. The group then laundered the proceeds through a web of bank accounts and transferred the funds to accomplices and businesses in Africa and Asia.
“The defendants coordinated how to extract money from their victims, and then how to disguise, disburse, and launder that money,” said Combs. “This scheme defrauded victims globally and deliberately targeted the elderly.”
Sentencing Details:
After being charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering, the defendants either pleaded guilty or were convicted at trial. They were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant as follows:
- Damilola Kumapayi (39, Plano, Texas): Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud; sentenced to 109 months (9 years, 1 month).
- Sandra Iribhogbe Popnen (50, Plano, Texas): Pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies; sentenced to 365 months (30 years, 5 months).
- Edgal Iribhogbe (51, Allen, Texas): Convicted at trial; sentenced to 480 months (40 years).
- Chidindu Okeke (32, Houston, Texas): Convicted at trial; sentenced to 480 months (40 years).
- Chiagoziem Okeke (32, Houston, Texas): Convicted at trial; sentenced to 480 months (40 years).
Combs emphasized the U.S. government’s commitment to cracking down on international fraud rings:
“These lengthy sentences reflect the severity of the crimes and the unwavering efforts of law enforcement to protect vulnerable citizens from financial predators.”
