⏱ 3 min read
Two Atlanta scammers got away with millions in COVID-19 relief funds, ripping off thousands of innocent victims in the process. Ikponmwosa Erhinmwinrose, 39, and Nyerhovwo Presley Agbure, 34, used stolen identities to apply for over $90 million in government benefits, netting a whopping $7.6 million.
The duo and their crew used the PPP and EIDL programs, meant to ease pandemic pain, to line their own pockets. They impersonated real individuals and businesses, creating dozens of fake email accounts to carry out their scheme.
Victims received letters demanding loan repayment, faced social media backlash, and missed out on stimulus payments. Erhinmwinrose got 17 years in fed prison for wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering. Agbure copped a 57-month sentence for conspiring to launder cash.
Two other codefendants await their fate. The feds say the scam left a trail of destruction, but justice has finally been served. At least, for now.
Related Federal Cases
- Emily Marie Johnson, $3.3M COVID Relief Fraud, Denver CO, 2023 · Colorado
- Samuel Harris Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Relief Fraud, Miami FL, 2023 · Florida
- John Doe, COVID Relief Fraud, Minnesota 2020 · New Mexico
- Jason Toland, COVID Fraud, California 2024 · California
- Broward Deputy Kyles, COVID Relief Scam, Florida 2024 · Colorado
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: White Collar Crime
- Defendant: wire fraud
- Location: CO
- Source: DOJ Press Release
