GREENBELT, MD – Newton Ofioritse Jemide, 47, a Nigerian national, will spend the next 41 months in a federal prison cell after being sentenced today for his central role in an $8 million fraud scheme targeting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief. Jemide, extradited from France to face justice, also received a three-year term of supervised release and is responsible for $520,431.83 in restitution, with a $311,036.64 forfeiture money judgment levied against him. The operation, executed from Nigeria, preyed on the aftermath of devastating natural disasters.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes announced the sentencing, alongside representatives from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Social Security Administration (SSA), and U.S. Secret Service. The scheme exploited FEMA’s Critical Needs Assistance (CNA) program, designed to provide immediate financial aid to victims of hurricanes, wildfires, and other declared national emergencies. Victims were eligible for up to $500 in aid, often distributed via prepaid debit cards – the very avenue Jemide and his crew exploited.
Between 2016 and 2017, Jemide directed co-conspirators in both Nigeria and the United States to amass hundreds of Green Dot Debit Cards. These cards were then registered using stolen personal information – identities ripped from unsuspecting victims of identity theft across the country. Communication was carefully concealed, utilizing encrypted messaging apps to coordinate the illicit operation. The timing was calculated; Jemide’s crew struck following the catastrophic Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and the deadly California wildfires, knowing aid would be flowing.
The operation wasn’t limited to FEMA. Jemide and his network also filed fraudulent claims for Social Security benefits, IRS tax refunds, and other government programs, all under stolen identities. Funds were deposited onto the compromised Green Dot cards, often using yet different stolen identities than those used for registration – a deliberate attempt to muddy the trail. Jemide then informed select co-conspirators when the fraudulent funds landed, allowing them to cash out the cards for a cut. The crew further obscured their activities by using multiple stores, banks, and even purchasing money orders payable to shell entities.
The investigation, a collaborative effort between multiple federal agencies, highlighted the growing threat of international fraud schemes targeting U.S. disaster relief. U.S. Attorney Hayes specifically commended the DHS Office of Inspector General, SSA Office of Inspector General, and the US Secret Service for their diligent work. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Marshals Service were also crucial in securing Jemide’s extradition. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Wright and Darren Gardner prosecuted the case.
Those with information about fraud, particularly concerning federal benefits, are encouraged to report it to the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office. Resources are available at justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud. This case serves as a stark reminder that exploiting national tragedies for personal gain will be met with federal prosecution, no matter where the perpetrators are located.
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Key Facts
- State: Maryland
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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