US sentenced Nigerian to 25 years imprisonment over $9.5mn dollars fraud
United States authorities have sentenced a Nigerian, Elvis Eghosa Ogiekpolor, to 25 years imprisonment for money laundering and conspiracy to commit the same offence.
According to the attorney-general office of the Northern State of Georgia, Ogiekpolor, and his co-conspirators “opened and directed others to open at least 50 fraudulent business bank accounts that received over $9.5 million dollars from various online frauds, including romance frauds and business email compromise scams (“BECs”).”
Ogiekpolor is said to have, between October 2018 and August 2020, directed eight so-called “money mules” – including six who testified against him at trial – to open the fraudulent business accounts in Georgia in the names of a dozen sham companies.
“The sham companies did not occupy physical premises, earn legitimate income, or pay wages to employees.
“He then laundered the fraud proceeds using other accounts, including dozens of accounts overseas.
“Ogiekpolor and his co-conspirators were part of a broader international network of online fraudsters and money launderers who wreaked havoc and devastation on unsuspecting individuals and businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan.
He added, “There is no way we can make the victims of Ogiekpolor and this network whole again, but we hope this sentence will at least give them solace that people are being held accountable,” said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta.
