Four Nigerians, Patrick Edah, Efe Egbowawa, Igocha Mac-Okor, and Kay Ozegbe, have been sentenced to federal prison in the United States for their roles in a romance scam that defrauded victims nationwide.
The defendants, including Nigerian citizens and a naturalized U.S. citizen, were found guilty of conspiring to commit money laundering as part of an elaborate scheme that exploited online dating platforms, social media, and gaming apps to deceive victims into sending money.
Between 2017 and November 2021, the group used fake identities to form fraudulent relationships, persuading victims to transfer funds via wire services, checks, package deliveries, and U.S. mail.
Acting as “money mules,” they worked to conceal the origins of the illicit funds, channeling the proceeds through layers of bank accounts and shell corporations, complicating efforts to trace the money.
Sentences varied, with Efe Egbowawa receiving 60 months in prison in April 2024, Kay Ozegbe sentenced to 36 months in September 2024, and Patrick Edah and Igocha Mac-Okor receiving 30 months and 50 months, respectively, in October 2024.
The case highlights the extensive use of fake identities and sophisticated money laundering tactics by the defendants to mask the origins of their fraudulent activities.
(Source: Politics Nigeria)
