Related Federal Cases
- Emiel A. Kandi, Mortgage Fraud Scheme, WA, 2023 · Kansas
- Gloria Ifem Okolie, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, GA 2024 · North Carolina
- Markuetric Stringfellow, Medicaid Fraud Conspiracy, GA 2024 · North Carolina
- North Louisiana Men Convicted of Bank Fraud Conspiracy · Alabama
- Angel Jackson Charged With Bank Fraud Conspiracy · Massachusetts
Natchez, MS – Nigerian Fraud Scheme Convictions
Two defendants, Edafe Onoetiyi and Susan Johns, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a Nigerian fraud scheme that defrauded American citizens of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
According to court documents, Onoetiyi, 34, of Nigeria, but living in Dallas, Texas, and Johns, 54, of Bothwell, Washington, conspired with each other and other individuals to defraud American citizens by transferring bank account information, personally identifiable information, and other access devices to create and transfer fraudulent loans and perpetrate other forms of theft.
The defendants’ actions resulted in the fraudulent transfer of hundreds of thousands of dollars both internally within the United States as well as to locations abroad, including Canada and Nigeria. Many of the victims of the fraud were romance scheme victims, wherein fraudsters concealing their true identities duped innocent victims into either sending money or allowing the fraudsters to use their bank account to move fraudulently obtained money.
‘The United States Attorney’s office for the Southern District of Mississippi will prosecute those who prey upon American citizens by fraud and deceit,’ said U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca.
‘Perpetrators of fraud and romance schemes are using technology to their advantage to target new audiences and cause devastating financial impacts on unsuspecting victims,’ said HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge David Denton.
Onoetiyi and Johns will be sentenced on September 6, 2022, in Natchez. They each face a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The convictions are the result of a multi-year investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations. The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of Mississippi and the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section assisted with preparation of the case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Erin Chalk and Andrew W. Eichner are prosecuting the case.
Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News