SEATTLE, WA – In a brazen scheme, Robert “Bo” Nnanwubas, a 29-year-old Georgia state prison inmate, pleaded guilty to impersonating a federal agent as part of a national telephone fraud scheme. According to Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman, Nnanwubas and his co-conspirators targeted health care workers across the country, claiming to be Deputy U.S. Marshals and demanding payment in exchange for quashing warrants.
The scheme, which unfolded in March 2022, saw Nnanwubas and his co-conspirators use contraband cell phones and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology to call victims. They would inform the victims that a subpoena had been issued for them to appear in court and that a warrant had been issued for their arrest if they did not comply. The callers would then demand payment via Zelle, Venmo, or other digital payment systems to quash the warrants.
One Seattle area victim received a call from Nnanwubas or his co-conspirators, claiming to be Deputy Marshal Gary Hartnett. The scammers demanded that the victim pay $2,000 to avoid arrest and even told her that she would have to turn herself in at the federal courthouse at 700 Stewart Street in Seattle.
Nnanwubas’ Zelle account received approximately $15,000 in payments from eight different victims, while an additional $5,300 was sent to him via PayPal and Venmo by three additional victims. In total, the conspirators stole approximately $20,300 from their victims.
As part of his plea agreement, Nnanwubas has agreed to pay restitution to the victims in the amount of $15,300. He is set to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour on March 12, 2024, and prosecutors will seek to add eight months in federal prison to his current state sentence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman warned citizens to be vigilant and not to fall prey to similar scams. “Legitimate government workers will not call and demand payment via Zelle, Venmo, or some other digital means,” she said. “If you get a call like this, just hang up.”
The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cindy Chang.
Nnanwubas’ exact criminal charges are conspiracy to impersonate a federal officer. He is currently incarcerated at Calhoun State Prison in Morgan, Georgia. The scheme unfolded in March 2022, and Nnanwubas was charged in Western Washington.
Related Federal Cases
- June Gibbs-Brown, Healthcare Fraud Enforcement, Washington DC, 1993 · Pennsylvania
- June Gibbs Brown, Health Care Fraud Fighter, Washington DC, 2023 · Pennsylvania
- ATF Exposed in Waste and Fraud Scandal, Washington DC, 2026 · New York
- Amanda J. Lavis, Employment Discrimination Investigation, Washington 2023 · Georgia
- Marlene Barkheimer, FDIC Advisory Committee Appointment, Washington 2023 · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
