Four Nigerian citizens residing in the United States and Canada have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in an elaborate conspiracy involving romance and investment scams. The scams targeted victims across the United States, including residents of Western Tennessee. The individuals, identified as Patrick Edah, Efe Egbowawa, Igocha Mac-Okor, and Kay Ozegbe, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit money laundering. They used false identities and email accounts on various internet platforms to deceive victims into sending money to shell companies and fictitious agents.
The scheme, operational from 2017 to November 2021, involved scammers pretending to be potential friends or romantic partners to lure victims into online relationships. These relationships, developed through social media, texting, emails, and phone calls, eventually led to requests for financial assistance under false pretenses. Victims were coaxed into sending money, with some individuals losing substantial amounts ranging from several thousand to more than $400,000.
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The defendants served as “money mules,” facilitating the transfer of funds through multiple bank accounts and shell companies to obscure the money’s origin. U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker handed down sentences ranging from 30 to 60 months in federal prison for the four individuals.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tony Arvin and Scott Smith. The U.S. Attorney’s Office expressed gratitude for the support from law enforcement partners in bringing the perpetrators to justice. For more information, follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or X for updates.
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