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Nigerian National Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Scheme

Huntington, West Virginia – A Nigerian national has pleaded guilty to his role in a large-scale fraud and money laundering scheme that took place in Huntington and elsewhere. Kenneth Ogudu, also known as Kenneth Lee, 28, a citizen of Nigeria residing in Columbus, Ohio, was involved in the conspiracy from at least May 2019 to October 8, 2020.

According to court documents, Ogudu and his co-conspirators created online false personas and contacted victims via email, text messaging or online dating and social media websites to induce them into believing they were in a romantic relationship, friendship or business relationship with various false personas. The victims were persuaded to send money for a variety of false and fraudulent reasons for the benefit of the false personas.

Ogudu’s role in the conspiracy was to let victims transfer money to his bank account, which he knew was from unlawful activity. He admitted to keeping some of the money for himself and forwarding some of the money to his co-conspirators via wire transfers or Zelle. Ogudu also admitted that he and his co-conspirators transferred large sums of their fraud proceeds to offshore accounts. He obtained funds from at least 12 different fraud victims during the money laundering conspiracy.

Ogudu faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on December 13, 2021. As part of his plea agreement, Ogudu agreed to pay $324,865.85 in restitution. The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the United States 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.

Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the agencies involved. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys R. Gregory McVey and Kathleen Robeson are handling the prosecution.

The public is encouraged to report potential online fraud activity or scams at https://www.ic3.gov/. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:21-cr-0068 (Emeni, et al).