A U.S. court in Florida has convicted a 36-year-old Nigerian man, Okezie Ogbata, for orchestrating an international fraud scheme that exploited over 400 elderly and vulnerable individuals, stealing more than $6 million.
Prosecutors revealed that Ogbata, along with his accomplices, operated an elaborate scam involving fake inheritance claims.
Victims were deceived through letters falsely stating they were heirs to multimillion-dollar estates from deceased relatives abroad. To secure the inheritance, they were instructed to pay various fees disguised as taxes or administrative charges.
Ogbata confessed to his involvement in the scheme, which primarily targeted elderly individuals.
The head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, General Brian Boynton, highlighted the importance of international collaboration in addressing crimes of this nature.
Ogbata is scheduled for sentencing on April 14, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Roy Altman. He faces a potential 20-year prison sentence.
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