Okechukwu Iwuji, a Nigerian, was found guilty of participating in a $2 million advance fee and money laundering scheme and sentenced to prison along with two other people.
Shawn Anderson, an attorney with the US Attorney’s Office in Guam, revealed that Iwuji, 38, and the other defendants obtained about $2,600,000 through fraud by convincing investors on Guam to pay fictitious fees for a multimillion-dollar inheritance.
Sally Roberto, 56, from Santa Rita, and Monique Jones, 49, from Dallas, Texas, are the other prisoners.
On Tuesday and Thursday, they received their sentences for their crimes.
Iwuji, a Nigerian national who formerly lived in Orlando, Florida, was sentenced to 45 months in prison, three years of supervised release, $475,710 in restitution, a $100 mandatory assessment fee, and a forfeiture money judgment after previously entering a plea of guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
In a statement released by the US Attorney Office, Anderson claimed that “this extensive conspiracy preyed on 60 victims, nearly all of whom live in Guam.”
“These scams are difficult to investigate and prosecute due to the interstate and transnational nature of the criminal activity. Our success in this matter is the result of a team effort across multiple jurisdictions, with outstanding leadership by prosecutor David. We will continue to pursue the collection of restitution for those harmed by the defendant’s conduct. The public must remain vigilant against this type of fraud,” Anderson added.
Iwuji acquired from Roberto and other conspirators at least $475,710 in victim funds as part of the scheme, and she transferred some of the money to accounts held by third parties in Nigeria.
Sally was given a sentence of 33 months in jail, three years of probation, $1,030,990 in restitution, a $3,900 assessment fee, and a $1,030,990 forfeiture money judgment.
Mekayda received a 36-month prison term, a three-year period of supervised release, a $387,160 restitution order, a $1,600 point zero mandatory assessment fee, and an $801,210 forfeiture money judgment.
Monique was given a 48-month prison term, three years of post-release supervision, a $2,700 mandatory assessment fee, and a $1,111,280 forfeiture money judgment in addition to being required to pay $578,130 in restitution.
Special Agent Steven Merrill of the Federal Bureau of Investigation stated that the FBI would closely watch similar cases and make sure that the offenders were brought to justice.
“This sentence should make the public aware that these types of advance fees, associated with inheritance scams, will be investigated by the FBI and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“If it is too good to be true, it probably is,” Merrill said.
