A Nigerian national, Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, has pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida to orchestrating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme. This scheme targeted elderly and vulnerable individuals across the United States.
Court documents reveal that Ogbata, 36, was part of a group that sent fraudulent letters to victims, falsely claiming they were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from deceased relatives overseas. Victims were deceived into sending money for supposed delivery fees and taxes. The funds collected through this scheme amounted to over $6 million from more than 400 victims.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe stated, "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, to include the elderly."
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton emphasized international cooperation's role in tackling such crimes: "This case is a testament to the critical role of international collaboration in tackling transnational crime."
Steven Hodges of the USPIS Miami Division highlighted the partnership between various agencies: "This guilty plea is a testament to the dedicated partnership between the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch, HSI and USPIS to protect our citizens from these scams."
Francisco B. Burrola of HSI Arizona remarked on their commitment: "HSI and our law enforcement partners' commitment to investigate criminals who steal money sends a clear message: justice will prevail."
Ogbata faces sentencing by U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman on April 14 and could receive up to 20 years in prison.
This case is linked to an earlier indictment involving six other co-conspirators from the UK, Spain, and Nigeria who have been convicted and sentenced.
The investigation is being conducted by USPIS, HSI, and the Consumer Protection Branch with assistance from several international agencies.
For those aged 60 or older who have been victims of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).