A Nigerian national, Amos Prince Okey Ezemma, 50, was sentenced today to 85 months in prison for his involvement in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme targeting elderly victims in the United States.
With this sentencing, all six defendants in the case have now been sentenced.
Ezemma and his co-conspirators sent personalised letters to elderly U.S. residents, falsely claiming to be representatives of a Spanish bank. They informed the recipients that they were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from a deceased family member in Portugal. Victims were instructed to send money for delivery fees and taxes before receiving their supposed inheritance. The fraudsters used a network of former victims in the U.S. to launder the money, convincing them to receive funds from new victims and forward the proceeds.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton emphasised the Justice Department’s commitment to pursuing transnational criminals who defraud U.S. consumers, highlighting the importance of international collaboration. The case involved contributions from the Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Spanish National Police, National Crime Agency, and Portuguese Judicial Police.
Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the USPIS Miami Division praised the investigation’s success and reaffirmed the commitment to dismantling transnational fraud groups. Special Agent in Charge Fransisco B. Burrola of HSI Arizona condemned the targeting of the elderly for financial gain, stressing the joint responsibility of family members and law enforcement to protect vulnerable populations.
Ezemma’s five co-defendants received sentences ranging from 82 to 128 months in prison. They were ordered to pay over $6 million in restitution to more than 400 victims. Sentences were handed down by Judge Kathleen M. Williams on various dates throughout 2023.
The case was investigated by the Consumer Protection Branch, USPIS, and HSI. Prosecutors included Senior Trial Attorney and Transnational Criminal Litigation Coordinator Phil Toomajian, and Trial Attorneys Josh Rothman and Brianna Gardner of the Consumer Protection Branch. Critical assistance was provided by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, and Europol.
Victims of financial fraud aged 60 or older can seek help from the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). The hotline, operated by the Office for Victims of Crime, offers personalized support and connects victims with appropriate agencies. It operates Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, providing services in multiple languages.
