KEY POINTS
- The Nigerian national Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata received eight-year prison time in America after carrying out a $6 million inheritance fraud.
- The perpetrators deceived more than 400 elderly Americans through forged correspondences announcing substantial Spanish inheritance deals.
- International collaboration between US and European law enforcement forces proved critical to breaking down the criminal syndicate.
A Nigerian national received an eight-year prison term from U.S. federal authorities for operating an inheritance fraud scheme which victimized more than six million dollars from 400 elderly American people.
Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata received a 97-month prison term during his Friday sentencing because he organized a $6 million scheme that victimized more than 400 elderly Americans.
Court documents reveal that Ogbata joined his colleagues in creating fake correspondence that was distributed by mail to Americans throughout the United States. The deceptive correspondence stated unrealistically that the letter recipients could inherit Spanish assets from people who had passed away. The authors crafted this official-looking correspondence despite knowing it linked to an unlawful Spanish financial institution.
Inheritance scam used fake documentation and duped intermediaries
Before providing the non-existent inheritance victims needed to pay costs alongside applicable taxes as specified upfront in the fraud scheme. Money that victims entrusted to the fraudsters was cleaned through multiple links of unknowing participants before reaching Ogbata and his criminal partners.
According to prosecutor statements no inheritance distributions ever happened.
According to his admissions in court Ogbata personally swindled victims out of huge amounts of money. The authorities from the United States considered this case to be an important step in fighting transnational financial crime.
According to U.S. Attorney Hayden P. Byrne for the Southern District of Florida the American justice system spans without restriction to prosecute criminals who victimize national defenseless people.
Global cooperation brought criminal to justice
HSI alongside the USPIS conducted the investigation into the criminal activities. Ever since Portugal, Spain and the UK joined Europol and the U.S. Office of International Affairs, international law enforcement partners provided support to investigate this case.
The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch acts to charge transnational criminals under acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov M. Roth’s direction regardless of their international location.
Public urged to report elder fraud
Public officials advise those over the age of 60 to call 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311) for help at the National Elder Fraud Hotline if they believe they may be victims of fraud. Through its free services the hotline enables people over 60 years old to send reports about scams and obtain help in regaining their stolen money.
