Two Nigerian nationals, Anthony Emeka Ibekie and Samuel Aniukwu, have been sentenced to a combined 30 years in federal prison by a United States federal jury for defrauding American citizens of $3.5 million.
In a statement released by the US Department of Justice, the duo orchestrated multiple fraudulent schemes, including inheritance scams, romance scams, and business email compromise schemes, preying on victims across the United States.
The Department of Justice detailed how Ibekie and Aniukwu convinced their victims they were beneficiaries of substantial inheritances that required upfront payments to claim. The victims were promised refunds once the fictitious inheritances were processed.
The pair also executed romance scams by forming fake online relationships with victims through social media and dating websites. Once trust was established, they persuaded their victims to transfer money under false pretenses.
In addition, the two men targeted corporate email accounts in a “business email compromise” scam, further expanding their fraudulent activities.
Sentencing Details
- Anthony Emeka Ibekie, 59, of Oswego, Illinois, was convicted on 14 counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, making false statements to a bank, and passport fraud. He received a 20-year sentence on November 21, 2024.
- Samuel Aniukwu, 50, of Romeoville, Illinois, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison on November 8, 2024.
The statement also identified a third accomplice, Jennifer Gosha, a 52-year-old US citizen from Oak Park, Illinois. Gosha pleaded guilty to wire fraud and making false statements to a federal agent. She is scheduled for sentencing on December 18, 2024.
The fraud was uncovered through an undercover law enforcement operation, revealing losses totaling at least $3.5 million. According to the Department of Justice, the sentences handed down reflect the severity of the crimes and the devastating impact on the victims.
This case highlights the growing threat of online scams and the collaborative efforts of law enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable.