<img src="https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/photos/shares/US_1751559565.webp">A Nigerian national, Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, has pleaded guilty to operating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded elderly and vulnerable consumers across the United States.Office of Public Affairs - US Department of Justice announced this in a statement on Thursday, July 3, 2025.Akhimie was extradited from the United Kingdom to the United States in March.According to court documents, Akhimie, 41, was a member of a group of fraudsters that sent personalized letters to elderly victims in the United States over the course of several years.The letters falsely claimed that the sender was a representative of a bank in Spain and that the recipient was entitled to receive a multimillion-dollar inheritance left for the recipient by a family member who had died overseas years before.Akhimie and his co-conspirators allegedly told a series of lies to victims, including that, before they could receive their purported inheritance, they were required to send money for delivery fees, taxes, and other payments to avoid questioning from government authorities.Akhimie and his co-conspirators allegedly collected money victims sent in response to the fraudulent letters through a complex web of U.S.-based former victims, whom the defendants convinced to receive money and forward to the defendants or persons associated with them. Victims who sent money never received any purported inheritance funds.In pleading guilty, Akhimie admitted to defrauding over $6 million from more than 400 victims, many of whom were elderly or otherwise vulnerable.The Justice Departments Consumer Protection Branch will continue to pursue, prosecute and bring to justice transnational criminals responsible for defrauding U.S. consumers, wherever they are located, said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate, head of the Justice Departments Civil Division. This case is testament to the critical role of international collaboration in tackling transnational crime. I want to thank the members of the Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations, as well as the National Crime Agency and Crown Prosecution Service of the United Kingdom for their outstanding contributions to this case.The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to protecting American consumers from being defrauded by Transnational Criminal Organizations, said Acting Postal Inspector in Charge Bladismir Rojo for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Miami Division. We have long partnered with the Department of Justices Consumer Protection Branch to deliver justice and we will continue to do so.Transnational fraud schemes thrive in the shadows, turning illicit gains into a facade of legitimacy, especially those involving seniors or other vulnerable people, said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ray Rede for HSI Arizona. HSI and our law enforcement partners commitment to investigate criminals who steal money sends a clear message: justice will prevail, and those who exploit others for personal gain will be held accountable. We thank all our partners who assisted in this investigation.On June 17, Akhimie pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Akhimie faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.This is the second indicted case related to this international fraud scheme.Seven other co-conspirators from the United Kingdom, Spain, and Nigeria have previously been convicted and sentenced in connection with this scheme.On Nov. 1, 2023, the Honorable Kathleen M. Williams sentenced Ezennia Peter Neboh, who was extradited from Spain, to 128 months of imprisonment.On Oct. 20, 2023, Judge Williams sentenced another defendant who was also extradited from Spain, Kennedy Ikponmwosa, to 97 months of imprisonment.Three other defendants who were extradited from the United Kingdom also received prison sentences.Judge Williams sentenced Emmanuel Samuel, Jerry Chucks Ozor, and Iheanyichukwu Jonathan Abraham to prison sentences of 82 months, 87 months, and 90 months, respectively, for their roles in the scheme.Amos Prince Okey Ezemma was paroled into the United States from Nigeria and was sentenced in July 2024 to 90 months imprisonment for his role in the scheme.Lastly, on April 25, the Honorable Roy K. Altman sentenced Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, who was extradited from Portugal, to 97 months of incarceration for his role in the scheme.USPIS, HSI, and the Consumer Protection Branch are investigating the case.Senior Trial Attorney and Transnational Criminal Litigation Coordinator Phil Toomajian and Trial Attorney Josh Rothman of the Justice Departments Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case.The Justice Departments Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida, the Department of States Diplomatic Security Service, and authorities from the UK, Spain, and Portugal all provided critical assistance.The post <a href="http://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2025/7/nigerian-national-pleads-guilty-to-international-fraud-scheme-that-defrauded-elderly-us-victims-2.html">Nigerian national pleads guilty to international fraud scheme that defrauded elderly U.S. victims</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.lindaikejisblog.com">Linda Ikeji Blog</a>.
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