A United States court has sentenced Nigerian national Ehis Lawrence Akhimie to more than eight years in prison for his role in a transnational inheritance fraud that defrauded over 400 victims of more than $6 million, many of whom were elderly.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida said Akhimie, 41, was sentenced on September 11 to 97 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges.
Court filings show that Akhimie and his accomplices sent personalised letters to U.S. residents, claiming to be bank officials in Spain.
The letters falsely informed recipients that they were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from relatives who had allegedly died overseas.
Victims were instructed to pay fees described as delivery charges, taxes, and other costs before they could receive the supposed inheritances, with warnings that these payments were necessary to avoid “government scrutiny.”
The funds were then funnelled through a network of intermediaries, including U.S.-based former victims, who were persuaded to act as conduits for the syndicate.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s statement, “Victims who sent money never received any purported inheritance funds. In pleading guilty, Akhimie admitted to defrauding over $6 million from more than 400 victims, many of whom were elderly or otherwise vulnerable.”
U.S. court Attorney Jason Quiñones described the crime as a profound betrayal of trust, “Schemes like this steal not only money but dignity from our seniors. Our office stands with victims, ensures their voices are heard, and will relentlessly pursue those who prey on them.”
READ ALSO: Five Nigerian Fraudsters Jailed 129 Years for $17 Million Theft in Romance, Investment, BEC Scams
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division highlighted the importance of international cooperation:
“The Justice Department court will continue to pursue and prosecute transnational criminals responsible for defrauding U.S. consumers, wherever they are located. This case underscores the critical role of international collaboration in combating transnational crime.”
The investigation was led in the U.S. by the Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Acting Inspector in Charge Bladismir Rojo said:
“We are committed to protecting American consumers from being defrauded by transnational criminal organisations. We will continue to work with the Department of Justice to deliver justice.”
HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Ray Rede added, “Defrauding the elderly and other vulnerable populations is a betrayal of not just trust but of humanity. Justice will prevail, and those who exploit others for personal gain will be held accountable.”
Akhimie is the eighth defendant sentenced in the sprawling case. In April, another Nigerian, Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, who was extradited from Portugal, received the same 97-month sentence.
Judge Roy Altman described the offence as “an incredibly serious crime” that demanded strong punishment to protect “the most vulnerable, the least protected members of our society.”
Other defendants in the matter have also been sentenced in related proceedings before U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams.
The Department of Justice noted that the investigation benefited from assistance from Europol, as well as authorities in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Portugal, alongside its Office of International Affairs. #court
Follow Parallel Facts on WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
