U.S. Court Jails Nigerian Student for Role in International Romance Fraud Scheme

A U.S. federal court in Wisconsin has sentenced Nigerian citizen Otaniyen Iduozee to 42 months in prison for his involvement in laundering millions of dollars obtained through a widespread romance scam targeting vulnerable Americans. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Richard Frohling, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

Iduozee, who entered the United States on a student visa, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to court records, the scheme involved defrauding victims—often elderly individuals—by pretending to be romantically interested in them. Using fake or stolen identities, the fraudsters would establish online relationships over dating sites or apps, then manipulate victims into sending money under false pretenses, such as medical emergencies or business crises.

Once the funds were secured, the scammers laundered the money through a series of financial transactions, ultimately transferring large sums overseas. Iduozee played a key role in this process by creating and managing fraudulent bank accounts used to move the stolen funds. His actions helped channel millions of dollars back to Nigeria.

Chief United States District Judge Pamela Pepper, who presided over the sentencing, highlighted the serious emotional and financial harm caused by these types of scams. In addition to his prison term, Iduozee has agreed to be removed from the United States upon completing his sentence.

Acting U.S. Attorney Frohling emphasized the significant damage inflicted by such schemes. “Individuals and groups who engage in these types of schemes not only cause financial loss but also shatter the trust of their victims, inflicting multiple layers of trauma and harm,” he said, while commending both the victims for coming forward and the investigators for their efforts.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rebecca Taibleson and Carter Stewart.