Four Nigerians have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a widespread network of romance scams that targeted individuals across the United States.
The defendants, who were convicted for their roles in laundering fraudulent funds through a complex series of schemes, have been linked to online dating scams that tricked unsuspecting victims into sending money under false pretenses.
The individuals sentenced include:
- Patrick Edah, 40, a Nigerian national residing in the Toronto, Canada area
- Efe Egbowawa, 41, a Nigerian national living in the Atlanta, Georgia area
- Igocha Mac-Okor, 40, a Nigerian national based in the Atlanta area
- Kay Ozegbe, 44, a naturalized U.S. citizen residing in the Atlanta area
All four were found guilty of conspiring to engage in money laundering as part of a broader fraud operation that manipulated people into mailing or wiring money to fake agents and shell companies. This was done using fraudulent email accounts and deceptive online profiles on dating platforms, where they falsely posed as romantic interests or potential friends to manipulate victims emotionally and financially.
The scam took place between 2017 and November 2021, during which time the conspirators used false identities on various online platforms, including dating websites, social media, and even gaming applications, to lure victims into fake relationships. They skillfully built online rapport with their targets, leading the victims to believe they were forming genuine friendships or romantic relationships. These manipulative tactics were employed to convince victims to send money, often through wire transfers, checks, or package delivery services, under the guise of helping their supposed friends or lovers in various fabricated situations.
As part of their roles in the fraud, the four defendants acted as “money mules,” individuals who facilitate the transfer of illicit funds without revealing the true origin of the money. By acting as intermediaries, they helped conceal the illicit financial gains, making it difficult for authorities to trace the funds back to the original scam. Court documents reveal that the defendants worked closely with other individuals to launder the proceeds of the scam through a network of bank accounts, shell corporations, and complex financial transactions that obscured the source of the fraudulent funds.
Egbowawa, who was one of the key figures in the conspiracy, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison on April 17, 2024. Ozegbe, who also played a significant role in the scam, received a 36-month federal sentence on September 23, 2024. In late October, on October 30, 2024, Edah and Mac-Okor were sentenced to 30 months and 50 months in federal prison, respectively, for their involvement in the elaborate money laundering operation.
This sentencing marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to tackle online romance fraud, a growing concern in the United States. These cases highlight the dangers of online deception and the lengths to which criminals will go to exploit vulnerable individuals. The convictions also serve as a reminder of the importance of vigilance when engaging with others on online platforms, particularly dating sites and social media, where fraudulent schemes are increasingly common. The sentences handed down to the four defendants reflect the seriousness of their crimes, and they serve as a deterrent to others involved in similar fraudulent activities.
