A Texas federal court has handed down a 36-month sentence to Tochukwu Nwosisi, a 52-year-old Indianapolis man convicted of participating in an international advance-fee scheme that swindled victims worldwide of over $5.6 million.
The scheme, orchestrated from Nigeria, involved fraudulent offers of investment funding and inheritances to unsuspecting victims. Nwosisi’s co-conspirators induced victims to make large wire payments to U.S.-based bank accounts, under the guise that payment of the purported advance fees was necessary to release their funding or inheritance.
Nwosisi served as a money launderer, accepting victim funds into his U.S.-based bank accounts and directing the proceeds to the ringleaders in Nigeria. His actions were part of a larger conspiracy to commit money laundering and concealment of money laundering, which was uncovered by the FBI and Department of State – Office of Inspector General.
Following a six-day trial in March, a jury deliberated for just 45 minutes before convicting Nwosisi of the charges. U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett emphasized that Nwosisi was a knowing, willing participant in a criminal scheme with very real impacts to victims worldwide. “Today is the day for accountability,” the judge stated.
In addition to his prison sentence, Nwosisi has been ordered to pay $905,945 in restitution. The court’s decision serves as a reminder that those involved in international crime will be held accountable for their actions.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Latham, with assistance from Trial Attorney Philip Trout of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI and the Department of State – Office of Inspector General.
Nwosisi’s sentence brings an end to a case that highlights the devastating impact of international advance-fee schemes on victims worldwide. As the investigation and prosecution of such crimes continue, it is clear that those involved will face severe consequences for their actions.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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