Tucson, Multiagency Case Ends With Sixth Nigerian National Sentenced for International Scheme That Defrauded Elderly U.S. Victims

TUCSON, Ariz. — A Nigerian national was sentenced July 22 to 85 months in prison for his role in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme. With the sentencing, each of the six defendants connected with this matter has been sentenced. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Consumer Protection Branch and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) investigated the case.

“Targeting the elderly for pure financial gain is beyond shameful, it’s morally reprehensible,” said HSI Arizona Special Agent in Charge Fransisco B. Burrola. “Protecting such a vulnerable population is not just the responsibility of family members but also law enforcement agencies like HSI and our partners. Together, we are a force multiplier committed to apprehending those who scam our seniors. Let these lengthy sentences serve as reminders that HSI will not tolerate criminals who are motivated by greed.”

According to court documents, Amos Prince Okey Ezemma, 50, was a member of a group of fraudsters that sent personalized letters to elderly victims in the United States, falsely claiming that the sender was a representative of a bank in Spain and that the recipient was entitled to receive a multimillion-dollar inheritance left for the recipient by a family member who had died years before in Portugal. Victims were told that before they could receive their purported inheritance, they were required to send money for delivery fees and taxes and were instructed to make other payments. Victims sent money to the defendants through a complex web of U.S.-based former victims. The defendant and his co-conspirators also convinced former victims to receive money from new victims and then forward the fraud proceeds to others.

“The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch will continue to pursue, prosecute and bring to justice transnational criminals responsible for defrauding U.S. consumers, wherever they are located,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This case is testament to the critical role of international collaboration in tackling transnational crime. I want to thank the members of the Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations, as well as the Spanish National Police, National Crime Agency and Portuguese Judicial Police for their outstanding contributions to this case.”

“This investigation is a great example of the results the USPIS, the Justice Department and our law enforcement partners strive to achieve,” said Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the USPIS Miami Division. “We will continue to identify and dismantle transnational groups targeting American citizens and using the mail to further their schemes to defraud. Justice has no borders.”

Each of Ezemma’s five co-defendants has been sentenced to prison for their roles in the scheme:

• June 21, 2023, Emmanuel Samuel was sentenced to 82 months in prison.
• July 25, 2023, Jerry Chucks Ozor was sentenced to 87 months in prison.
• Aug. 29, 2023, Iheanyichukwu Jonathan Abraham was sentenced to 90 months in prison.
• Oct. 20, 2023, Kennedy Ikponmwosa was sentenced to 87 months in prison.
• Nov. 2, 2023, Ezennia Peter Neboh was sentenced to 128 months in prison.

Ezemma and his co-defendants were further ordered to pay more than $6 million in restitution to their over 400 victims.

Senior Trial Attorney and Transnational Criminal Litigation Coordinator Phil Toomajian and Trial Attorneys Josh Rothman and Brianna Gardner of the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and Europol all provided critical assistance.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, call the HSI tip line at 877-4-HSI-TIP or the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11. Callers may remain anonymous.

The Justice Department's National Elder Fraud Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.