A United States District Court has sentenced a Nigerian national, Saheed Owolabi, to 15 years in prison for his role in a large-scale fraud and money laundering operation that targeted American victims.
The judgment was delivered by Chief United States District Judge Richard Myers II, according to a statement released by the US Department of Justice on Tuesday.
Investigations revealed that Owolabi operated a sophisticated romance fraud scheme, posing as a woman online to establish relationships with unsuspecting male victims.
Through this false identity, he manipulated victims into sending money and disclosing sensitive personal information.
Authorities disclosed that Owolabi and his accomplices further exploited victims by using their bank accounts to launder funds obtained from other fraudulent activities.
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In one instance, more than $120,000 was stolen from a single victim in the Eastern District of North Carolina, with total fraudulent proceeds exceeding $1.5 million.
Following his arrest and prosecution, Owolabi was found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
During sentencing, the court determined that he played a leadership role in a well-organised criminal network, engaged in complex financial schemes, and inflicted significant financial harm on multiple victims.
Prosecutors also presented evidence showing Owolabi’s extravagant lifestyle, supported by images recovered from his phone, which allegedly captured how he spent proceeds from the fraud.
Reacting to the case, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Anthony Boyle, condemned the rise in fraud schemes linked to Nigerians, stressing that perpetrators would be held accountable regardless of their location.
He noted that the case underscores the commitment of US authorities to pursue justice against individuals involved in defrauding its citizens.
Owolabi’s conviction adds to a growing list of Nigerians serving prison sentences in the United States for fraud-related offences.
In a related development, US authorities have also disclosed plans to deport another Nigerian, Ayobami Omoniyi, after he completes a 32-month prison term for his involvement in a $202,000 money laundering scheme linked to business email compromise fraud.
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