MEMPHIS, TN – Efe Egbowawa, a 40-year-old Nigerian citizen, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in a massive romance and investment scam that bilked victims out of millions of dollars.
Egbowawa, who resides in Georgia, was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of a scheme that used false identities and email accounts on internet dating sites to trick people into wiring or mailing money to shell companies and fictitious agents.
According to court documents, Egbowawa and his co-conspirators posed as potential friends or romantic partners on online platforms, including email, social media, gaming applications, and dating websites. They would quickly build relationships with their victims, only to ask for emergency financial assistance, often under the guise of a medical emergency or a business opportunity.
Once the victims sent money, the scammers would ask for increasingly larger amounts, often using fake identities and shell companies to launder the funds. The scheme is estimated to have bilked victims out of millions of dollars, with some victims losing as much as $100,000 or more.
Egbowawa was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker on April 17. His co-conspirators, Kay Ozegbe and Igocha Mac-Okor, are also facing charges in connection with the scheme. Ozegbe has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 24, 2024. Mac-Okor is scheduled to go to trial on August 5, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Memphis Field Office and the United States Postal Investigation Service for their role in investigating the scheme. “This case is a prime example of the sophisticated and often ruthless tactics used by scammers to exploit vulnerable individuals,” Ritz said. “We will continue to work tirelessly to bring these perpetrators to justice and protect the public from these types of scams.”
The case serves as a reminder to be cautious when engaging with strangers online, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. “Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is,” Ritz warned. “Don’t send money to someone you’ve never met, and never give out personal or financial information to someone you don’t know.”
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Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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