A US federal court has sentenced two Nigerian nationals, Anthony Ibekie and Samuel Aniukwu, to a combined 30 years in prison for defrauding American citizens of $3.5 million through a series of fraudulent schemes. The duo was convicted of conducting romance and inheritance scams, which involved convincing victims to send money under false pretenses.

According to a statement from the US Department of Justice, Ibekie and Aniukwu, both based in Illinois, operated these scams by using fake identities to communicate with victims across the United States. They promised victims large inheritances, requiring upfront payments to access the supposed funds. Additionally, the pair ran an online romance scam where they built trust with victims through social media and dating websites, ultimately convincing them to send money.

The scam operation was uncovered through a covert law enforcement investigation, which led to the discovery of various fraudulent activities. The duo also participated in a “business email compromise” scam targeting corporate email accounts.

In January 2024, Ibekie, aged 59 and from Oswego, Illinois, was convicted on all 14 counts, including wire fraud, money laundering, and passport fraud. He was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger.

Aniukwu, aged 50 and from Romeoville, Illinois, pleaded guilty in 2023 to charges of wire fraud and money laundering. He received a 10-year prison sentence.

A third defendant, Jennifer Gosha, a 52-year-old US citizen from Oak Park, Illinois, has also been linked to the scam. She pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and making false statements to a federal agent. Gosha is awaiting sentencing on December 18, 2024.

The total losses resulting from the scams have been estimated at $3.5 million.