Five Nigerians Sentenced to 159 Years in U.S. Prison for $17 Million Fraud Scheme

A U.S. federal court has sentenced five Nigerian nationals to a total of 159 years in prison for their roles in a $17 million fraud scheme that targeted more than 100 individuals, companies, and government bodies across the United States.

The sentencing follows a multi-year investigation into an organised transnational crime ring that employed romance scams, business email compromise, unemployment insurance fraud, and investor fraud to defraud mostly elderly and vulnerable victims. The convicted individuals—Damilola Kumapayi, Sandra Iribhogbe Popnen, Edgal Iribhogbe, Chidindu Okeke, and Chiagoziem Okeke—were found guilty of orchestrating and executing the scheme, which began around January 2017.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the group used fake online relationships and deceptive business opportunities to lure victims and obtain funds. The stolen money was then laundered through various bank accounts and funneled to accomplices and companies in Africa and Asia.

Court documents revealed that the defendants deliberately targeted the elderly, often using online dating platforms to exploit their trust. Once money was secured, it was swiftly moved through a web of accounts, making it difficult to trace. The U.S. government confirmed that the fraud impacted victims globally, not just within American borders.

Chidindu Okeke and Chiagoziem Okeke, both 32 and based in Houston, along with 51-year-old Edgal Iribhogbe of Allen, Texas, were each sentenced to 40 years in prison following their convictions at trial. Sandra Iribhogbe Popnen, 50, from Plano, was sentenced to just over 30 years, while Damilola Kumapayi, 39, also from Plano, received over nine years after pleading guilty.

U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant delivered the sentences. Prosecutors noted that many victims suffered not just financial ruin but lasting emotional trauma. Authorities commended the coordinated law enforcement response and reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to prosecuting international fraud networks.