Miami, Florida — Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, 36, a Nigerian national, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida for his role in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded elderly and vulnerable victims across the United States out of more than $6 million.
Ogbata, affiliated with a criminal organization, took part in a deceptive operation that targeted elderly individuals throughout the United States. This scheme involved sending fraudulent letters that misleadingly informed recipients of a supposed multimillion-dollar inheritance from a deceased relative living abroad. The letters instructed victims to pay various fees, such as delivery costs, taxes, and government clearance charges, before they could claim their alleged inheritance.
Over the course of several years, this scam ensnared more than 400 victims, many of whom were seniors. The illicit funds were channeled through a network of accomplices based in the U.S., who were coerced into receiving and forwarding the money. Ultimately, none of the victims ever received the inheritance they were promised, despite having sent substantial amounts of money.
Ogbata admitted to his involvement in the scheme on January 15, 2025, pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. He faces up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for April 14, 2025.
“This case is a testament to the critical role of international collaboration in tackling transnational crime,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton. “The Department of Justice will continue to pursue fraudsters wherever they are located.”
This marks the second case linked to a widespread international fraud operation. Previously, six co-conspirators from the United Kingdom, Spain, and Nigeria have been convicted and sentenced for their involvement in this scheme. On November 1, 2023, the Honorable Kathleen M. Williams sentenced Ezennia Peter Neboh, who was extradited from Spain, to 128 months in prison.
Just a few weeks earlier, on October 20, 2023, Judge Williams handed down a 97-month sentence to another extradited defendant, Kennedy Ikponmwosa. Additionally, three other defendants extradited from the United Kingdom received varying prison terms: Emmanuel Samuel was sentenced to 82 months, Jerry Chucks Ozor to 87 months, and Iheanyichukwu Jonathan Abraham to 90 months for their participation in the scheme. Furthermore, Prince Amos Okey Ezemma, who was paroled into the United States from Nigeria, was also sentenced to 90 months in prison for his role.
The investigation, spearheaded by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and international law enforcement agencies from Portugal, Spain, and the U.K., has already led to the convictions and sentencing of six additional co-conspirators involved in this fraudulent operation.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe emphasized the government’s commitment to bringing those responsible for exploiting vulnerable populations to justice. “We will not allow transnational criminals to steal from the public we serve,” he said.
Ogbata’s guilty plea marks another significant step in dismantling the complex fraud ring that targeted the elderly, with law enforcement agencies continuing their efforts to prosecute those involved.
“Transnational fraud schemes thrive in the shadows, turning illicit gains into a facade of legitimacy, especially those involving seniors or other vulnerable people,” said Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola of HSI Arizona. “HSI and our law enforcement partners commitment to investigate criminals who steal money sends a clear message: justice will prevail, and those who exploit others for personal gain will be held accountable. We thank all our partners who assisted in this investigation.”
“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,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “We will not allow transnational criminals to steal money from the public we serve. Individuals who defraud American consumers will be brought to justice, no matter where they are located.”
