Three Nigerians have been sentenced in the United States for their roles in a $2 million fraud scheme that exploited elderly and vulnerable individuals.
The U.S. Department of Justice disclosed the sentences in a statement.
Fatai Okunola, 38, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, received the heaviest sentence, with over 10 years in prison.
He was ordered to pay more than $730,000 in restitution.
Okunola’s charges included conspiracy, money laundering, and making false statements during naturalization. His sentences will run concurrently.
In Dallas, Oluwaseyi Adeola, 34, was sentenced to nearly three years in prison and ordered to pay approximately $410,000 in restitution.
Ijeoma Adeola, 36, received a lighter sentence of three years’ probation for misprision of a felony, along with an order to pay nearly $49,000 in restitution.
The defendants collaborated with accomplices in Nigeria to target U.S. residents, particularly the elderly, by using fake identities to establish relationships through social media, text messages, phone calls, and other communication platforms.
Victims were tricked into sending funds, which the defendants laundered through multiple bank accounts, P.O. boxes, and shell businesses.
Some of the stolen funds were also used to purchase and ship vehicles from the U.S. to Nigeria. Between 2017 and 2022, the scheme defrauded victims of over $2 million.
U.S. Attorney Mark Totten condemned the fraud, stating, “Financial fraud is not a ‘faceless’ crime, and today’s sentencings help secure a measure of justice for the victims of this international fraud scheme.”
He added that many victims faced severe financial consequences, including losing retirement savings, taking loans against their homes, and enduring significant economic distress.
The sentencing underscores the commitment of U.S. authorities to combat international fraud schemes and protect vulnerable populations from exploitation.