Banabas Ganidekam, Wire Fraud, West Virginia 2022

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A 24-year-old Ghanaian national is facing a potential two-decade prison sentence after admitting his role as a money mule in a sophisticated romance fraud scheme that preyed on vulnerable victims across the country. Banabas Ganidekam pleaded guilty to wire fraud this week, confessing to knowingly receiving and funneling illicit funds obtained through emotional manipulation.

Court documents reveal Ganidekam, formerly of Westerville, Ohio, allowed his bank account to be used as a collection point for money extracted from at least 14 victims of online romance scams. The scheme involved fraudsters building relationships with individuals online, eventually convincing them to send money for fabricated emergencies, travel, or other false pretenses. Ganidekam then received these funds – arriving via wire transfer, personal checks, and cashier’s checks – and subsequently transferred them to another bank account in Huntington, West Virginia, effectively laundering the stolen money.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has remained tight-lipped about the full extent of the financial damage, stating only that the amount of restitution Ganidekam will be required to pay will be determined at a later date. However, sources close to the investigation suggest the total losses suffered by the victims are substantial, potentially exceeding six figures. The case highlights the growing problem of international fraud rings exploiting the anonymity of the internet to target Americans.

United States Attorney Will Thompson praised the collaborative effort of multiple federal and state agencies in bringing Ganidekam to justice. The investigation was spearheaded by the U.S. Secret Service, with crucial support from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), the West Virginia State Police, and the South Charleston Police Department. The multi-agency cooperation underscores the complex nature of these schemes, often requiring resources and expertise from diverse law enforcement bodies.

Ganidekam’s sentencing is scheduled for June 21, 2022, before United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers. Assistant United States Attorneys R. Gregory McVey and Kathleen Robeson are prosecuting the case. If convicted, Ganidekam faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online relationships and the importance of verifying the identity of individuals encountered on the internet.

Authorities urge anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a romance scam, or who suspects online fraud activity, to report it immediately to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov/. Protecting yourself requires vigilance and skepticism when interacting with strangers online, especially when money is involved.

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