A 36-year-old Nigerian national has admitted his role in a devastating $6 million fraud scheme that exploited over 400 elderly victims across the United States. The convicted individual, Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges relating to an elaborate inheritance scam that spanned several years and crossed international borders.
In a session at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Ogbata faced charges of mail and wire fraud, marking the latest development in a series of arrests linked to this criminal network. The fraud operation, which targeted vulnerable elderly citizens, lured them with promises of large inheritance sums purportedly left by deceased relatives abroad. The victims, many of whom were senior citizens, were deceived into sending thousands of dollars under the guise of paying for taxes, delivery fees, and other alleged costs to unlock their inheritance funds.
The scam, which spanned multiple countries, was built upon fake documents and fraudulent letters that appeared to come from a reputable Spanish bank. These letters led victims to believe they were set to receive life-changing sums of money, only to find themselves financially devastated after they complied with the scammers’ demands.
Ogbata’s role in the scheme involved working with a network of individuals within the United States, some of whom were former victims themselves. These operatives collected the funds sent by victims and forwarded them to the main perpetrators in the network. Despite the promises made, none of the victims ever saw a penny of the inheritance they were promised.
The U.S. Department of Justice has confirmed that the total financial loss resulting from Ogbata’s actions and those of his co-conspirators exceeds $6 million. Speaking on the case, U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida emphasized the unrelenting pursuit of justice for those targeted in such schemes. “The long arm of the American justice system has no limits when it comes to reaching fraudsters who prey on our nation’s most vulnerable populations, including the elderly,” Lapointe said.
The Justice Department’s efforts to address transnational crime have been praised by officials, with Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton remarking on the role of international cooperation in the case. “This case is a testament to the critical role of international collaboration in tackling transnational crime. I want to thank the members of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Portuguese Judicial Police for their outstanding contributions,” Boynton said.
Ogbata, who operated the scam within the United States, will be sentenced on April 14, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman. As part of his guilty plea, Ogbata faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, a reminder of the severity of the consequences for those who exploit vulnerable individuals for financial gain.
This conviction is part of a wider international effort to dismantle the fraud network. Six other individuals connected to the scheme have already been convicted and sentenced, including co-conspirators from Spain, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria. These individuals had played significant roles in the scam’s execution, helping to deceive victims and launder the stolen funds.
The case has garnered attention not just for the scale of the fraud but also for its international reach. On November 1, 2023, a key figure in the operation, Ezennia Peter Neboh, was sentenced to 128 months in prison after being extradited from Spain. Other individuals from the United Kingdom, including Emmanuel Samuel, Jerry Chucks Ozor, and Iheanyichukwu Jonathan Abraham, have also received lengthy prison sentences for their involvement.
Perhaps most notably, Prince Amos Okey Ezemma, another key figure in the fraud ring, was sentenced to 90 months in prison after being paroled into the United States from Nigeria.
The wide-reaching scope of the scheme and the significant international collaboration required to bring the perpetrators to justice highlight the global nature of such crimes. The operation not only targeted American citizens but also used cross-border tactics to launder the illicit proceeds, making it a complex case for investigators.
While this case marks a significant victory in the battle against international fraud, officials have warned that more needs to be done to protect vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly, from falling victim to similar scams in the future. Financial fraud schemes such as these remain a serious threat, and authorities are urging citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
As Ogbata faces the prospect of spending up to two decades in a U.S. prison, his conviction serves as a stark reminder that those who attempt to deceive and exploit others, regardless of where they are located, will face the full force of the law. For the victims of this particular scam, however, the damage has already been done, with many left financially ruined and emotionally devastated by the betrayal they experienced.
The case also underscores the ongoing efforts by international law enforcement agencies to address transnational crime, particularly when it comes to fraudulent schemes that prey on the elderly. The U.S. government has committed to continuing its crackdown on such fraudsters, with a strong focus on cooperation between countries to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
