ST. LOUIS – A federal grand jury has handed down a heavy charge against three St. Louis residents in a romance scam that fleeced unsuspecting elderly women out of nearly half a million dollars.
The trio, Ovuoke Frank Ofikoro, 41; Bonmene Sibe, 27; and Trenice Hassel, also 27, are accused of a scheme where they posed as overseas military officers to romance dozens of women aged between 45 and 82. According to court documents, the scammers tricked their victims into sending cash and electronic equipment totaling over $500,000 through the U.S. Postal Service.
Ofikoro and Sibe are charged with conspiracy to defraud, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft, while Hassel faces additional charges of making false statements to a federal agency. Co-defendant Hassel also helped open one of the St. Louis post office boxes used in the scheme under the name B.M.
Prosecutors revealed that Ofikoro and Sibe transferred some of the funds to accounts in Nigeria, while Hassel played a role in the fraudulent box management. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to defraud and mail fraud, along with hefty fines.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Berry and Edward Dowd III are handling the case.
Inspector William Hedrick emphasized the importance of justice in these cases, stating that “those who exploit the elderly through the U.S. Mail will be brought to justice.” Special Agent Richard Quinn of the FBI noted the significant financial toll of romance scams on victims, urging caution when engaging in online romances that request monetary support.
U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen commented on the vulnerability of older adults in these situations, emphasizing the need for vigilance and open communication regarding financial matters within families. Restitution is mandatory, and the Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative remains committed to combating such crimes.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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