Edwin Okoronkwo, Catfishing Scheme, Nebraska 2025

A mastermind of an elaborate catfishing scheme has been brought to justice in Nebraska. Edwin Okoronkwo, a 36-year-old Nigerian man and lawful permanent resident of the United States, was sentenced to 75 months in prison for his role in the scheme, which bilked victims out of over $342,000.

Okoronkwo, along with his spouse Julie Okoronkwo, used fake online personas to convince victims to send money via the United States Postal Service and other commercial carriers. The scheme, which was carried out over the Internet, involved the use of personal identifying information (PII) obtained from identity theft victims to open bank accounts and other online financial services accounts.

According to the investigation, the Okoronkwos used the victims’ PII to open bank accounts and online financial services accounts, including peer-to-peer digital payments platforms such as PayPal and Venmo. They then directed the victims to send money from their personal peer-to-peer digital payment platform accounts to the accounts opened by the Okoronkwos using the names and PII of the identity theft victims.

Julie Okoronkwo, who was previously sentenced to 25 months in prison, played a key role in the scheme by contacting victims over the phone and convincing them to send money. She also obtained victims’ means of identification, including their social security numbers and Nebraska driver’s license information, from her workplace at a hospital.

The investigation into the catfishing scheme was carried out by the United States Postal Inspection Service. United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced the sentencing, stating that the crimes were a ‘truly a tragedy for the victims.’

Okoronkwo will be placed on a 3-year term of supervised release after his release from prison and will be deported by immigration authorities. The sentencing marks a significant victory for the victims of the catfishing scheme and a testament to the determination of law enforcement agencies to bring perpetrators to justice.

The case highlights the dangers of catfishing schemes and the importance of being cautious when interacting with strangers online. It also underscores the need for vigilance in protecting personal identifying information and for reporting suspicious activity to the authorities.

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