A Nigerian national, Charles Nnamdi Emesim, has been sentenced to 115 months in prison in the United States for his role in a long-running romance and internet fraud scheme that defrauded victims of more than $700,000.
The sentence was handed down on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice. Emesim, 53, a legal resident of Newark, New Jersey, was convicted for conspiracy to commit money laundering linked to multiple online fraud operations.
Prosecutors said the schemes, which ran from December 2013 to June 2024, included romance scams, lottery scams, inheritance fraud, investment fraud, government impersonation, and medical expense scams. Emesim operated at least 17 bank accounts under his name and through companies named Chadon Export and Chadon Trucking.
Authorities said at least 23 victims across the U.S. were deceived into transferring over $700,000 through cash deposits, wire transfers, cashier’s cheques, and money transfers into accounts linked to Emesim. One case involved an elderly widow in Kentucky who was manipulated through a fake romance with a man calling himself Michael Oliver.
The victim believed she was in a genuine relationship before being introduced to a supposed customs official, Samuel Rock, who claimed he could help transfer wealth. She later met the man at Lexington airport, handed over more money, and bought him a computer tablet. The court found that Emesim was the person who posed as “Customs Agent Rock” during that meeting.
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Investigators said the victim lost tens of thousands of dollars through cash payments, cheques, prepaid debit cards, and gift cards sent to Emesim and his associates. Funds were often withdrawn in cash or transferred to accounts belonging to family members, businesses, and associates in Nigeria.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Parman described the crimes as predatory schemes driven by deception and emotional exploitation. FBI Louisville Field Office Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson said Emesim targeted vulnerable individuals for over a decade and that the sentencing shows law enforcement’s resolve to pursue financial fraudsters.
The court described Emesim’s actions as “heartless and unquestionably reprehensible,” noting the severe financial, emotional, and psychological harm caused to victims. Under federal law, he must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence and will face three years of supervised release afterward.
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Dieruf.
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