Anomah Ndonwi, Wire Fraud, Maryland 2023

A Baltimore man has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for his involvement in a scheme to deceive people into buying non-existent pets and agricultural goods. Anomah Ndonwi, 32, of Chillum, Maryland, was convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud in connection with the elaborate scam.

According to court documents, Ndonwi conspired with others to devise a scheme that began in September 2019 and continued through December 2022. The scheme involved victims throughout the United States who responded to internet advertisements offering the sale of pets such as dogs and horses. After exchanging messages with the supposed seller, victims paid using a wire transfer or electronic-app transfer but never received the pet they paid for nor a refund.

Ndonwi also used this scheme to target foreign businesses, offering non-existent agricultural goods such as meat products. Victims from foreign countries paid for the goods using an interstate or international wire communication but never received the ordered products nor a refund.

The defendant used fraudulent identifications to open U.S. bank accounts to receive the proceeds from these schemes. In total, Ndonwi opened at least 14 bank accounts, primarily in Maryland, using alias names. At least 12 of the accounts were opened with fraudulent passports purportedly from the Republic of Cameroon.

Through this scheme, Ndonwi received at least $930,105 in proceeds from the wire-fraud conspiracy which affected 10 or more victims.

Ndonwi was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes commended the Diplomatic Security Service for its work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Coreen Mao and Dawn Williams who are prosecuting the case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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