Two Nigerian nationals, Anthony Emeka Ibekie and Samuel Aniukwu, have been sentenced to a combined 30 years in federal prison for orchestrating online fraud schemes that defrauded U.S. citizens of over $3.5 million.
According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, the two men, residing in Chicago suburbs, used inheritance scams and romance frauds to exploit their victims.
The pair deceived victims by claiming they had received substantial inheritances but required funds to claim them.
Victims were persuaded to send money with the promise of a refund once the inheritance was secured.
Ibekie and Aniukwu posed as romantic partners on social media and dating platforms. After gaining their victims’ trust, they requested money for various fabricated reasons.
The duo also conducted a business email compromise scam, targeting corporate email accounts to misappropriate funds.
The schemes were uncovered through a covert law enforcement investigation.
Both men faced multiple charges, including wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, and false statements.
59-year-old Anthony Ibekie was convicted on all 14 counts by a federal jury earlier this year.
He was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison on November 21 by U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger.
50-year-old Samuel Aniukwu pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering last year and received a 10-year prison sentence on November 8.
A third accomplice, Jennifer Gosha, a 52-year-old U.S. citizen from Oak Park, Illinois, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and making false statements to federal agents. Her sentencing is scheduled for December 18, 2024.
The scams caused financial losses of at least $3.5 million, with victims across the United States falling prey to the fraudulent schemes.
The sentencing highlights ongoing efforts by U.S. law enforcement to combat internet fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Nigeria has similarly intensified its crackdown on online scammers, securing thousands of convictions and recovering billions of naira in recent years.
