Lady Justice
A 43-year-old Nigerian national, Tochuwku Albert Nnebocha, has been extradited from Poland to the United States to face charges related to a long-running inheritance fraud scheme that preyed on elderly Americans.
Federal prosecutors claim that Nnebocha was involved in a transnational criminal organization that deceived seniors out of their savings by sending fraudulent letters stating they were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from deceased relatives in Spain. Victims were instructed to pay fake fees and taxes upfront but never received any money.
As stated in the indictment, the scheme involved sending tailored letters to victims, misleadingly asserting that they were heirs to substantial estates. Prior to receiving the alleged inheritance, victims were informed that they needed to cover delivery fees, taxes, or other costs. In truth, there was no inheritance at all — and the funds were channeled through a network of unsuspecting intermediaries, many of whom were former victims themselves.
Authorities report that the scam persisted for over five years. Nnebocha faces charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, along with specific counts of both crimes. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to as much as 20 years in federal prison.
Victims were told that, before they could receive their purported inheritance, they were required to send money for delivery fees, taxes, and payments to avoid questioning from government authorities. Victims sent money to the defendants through a complex web of U.S.-based former victims, whom the defendants convinced to receive money and forward to the defendants or persons associated with them
Two co-conspirators have already admitted guilt and received their sentences: Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, who was extradited from Portugal Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, extradited from the United Kingdom Both were handed 97-month sentences by U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman. Officials stress that combating elder fraud continues to be a major enforcement focus.
“This case is part of our continued efforts to combat scams that prey on America’s seniors,” the DOJ said in a statement.
Seniors aged 60 and above can reach out to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 for help.
