Nigerians Sentenced to 30 Years in U.S. Prison for $3.5 Million Romance Scam

Two Nigerian nationals, Anthony Ibekie and Samuel Aniukwu, have been sentenced to a combined 30 years in U.S. federal prison for defrauding victims of $3.5 million through elaborate romance and inheritance scams.

This was revealed in a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, detailing the pair’s schemes and convictions.

The Fraudulent Schemes

According to the statement, Ibekie and Aniukwu used aliases to deceive their victims into believing they were entitled to large inheritances but needed to pay fees to claim the money. Victims were persuaded to send funds with promises of reimbursement once the fictitious inheritances were secured.

The duo also carried out romance scams, developing fake relationships with their victims through social media and dating platforms. After earning their victims’ trust, they manipulated them into transferring money.

The press release read:
“Using aliases, Anthony Emeka Ibekie and Samuel Aniukwu communicated with victims throughout the United States, convincing them they had received substantial inheritances and needed to send money to individuals associated with the defendants in order to claim it.”

Additionally, the statement noted the perpetrators’ involvement in a business email compromise (BEC) scheme targeting corporate email accounts. The covert law enforcement operation that uncovered their activities determined that these scams caused losses totaling at least $3.5 million.

Sentencing

Ibekie, 59, of Oswego, Illinois, was sentenced on Thursday to 20 years in federal prison following a jury trial that found him guilty on all 14 counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, making false statements to a bank, and passport fraud.

U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger presided over the case and handed down the sentence.

Aniukwu, 50, of Romeoville, Illinois, had pleaded guilty last year to charges of wire fraud and money laundering. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison on November 8, 2024.

The statement emphasized the severity of their crimes:
“The fraud schemes were uncovered by a covert law enforcement investigation. The scams resulted in losses to victims of at least $3.5 million.”

Upcoming Sentencing for Accomplice

The case also implicated a third individual, Jennifer Gosha, a U.S. citizen from Oak Park, Illinois. Gosha pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges of wire fraud and making false statements to federal agents. She is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18, 2024.

The Department of Justice concluded:
“A third defendant, Jennifer Gosha, 52, pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges of wire fraud and making false statements to a federal agent. Gosha is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Seeger on December 18, 2024.”

This case highlights the efforts of U.S. law enforcement in combating online fraud schemes and ensuring perpetrators face justice.