A Nigerian national, Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, has been convicted in a U.S. federal court for his role in a multi-million-dollar international fraud scheme that targeted over 400 elderly and vulnerable Americans. The scam netted more than $6 million.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Akhimie’s conviction on Thursday, following his guilty plea on June 17. He now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Court documents reveal that Akhimie, 41, was part of a transnational criminal network that sent fraudulent letters to elderly individuals across the United States. The letters falsely claimed the recipients were entitled to large inheritances from deceased relatives abroad.
Victims were instructed to send payments covering fictitious fees such as taxes and delivery charges. These funds were laundered through previously defrauded individuals within the U.S., who unknowingly acted as money mules for the criminal group. None of the victims received any inheritance.
Akhimie admitted to personally defrauding victims of more than $6 million.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch, with assistance from law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Portugal.
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate emphasized the importance of international cooperation in fighting global fraud schemes, stating:
This case is a testament to the critical role of international collaboration in tackling transnational crime.”
Akhimie’s sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. He is the second major figure convicted in connection with the scheme. Seven other co-conspirators from Nigeria, Spain, the UK, and Portugal have already been sentenced they are: Ezennia Peter Neboh – 128 months (extradited from Spain), Kennedy Ikponmwosa – 97 months (extradited from Spain), Emmanuel Samuel – 82 months (extradited from the UK)
Others are: Jerry Chucks Ozor – 87 months (extradited from the UK), Iheanyichukwu Jonathan Abraham – 90 months (extradited from the UK), Amos Prince Okey Ezemma – 90 months (paroled into the U.S. from Nigeria), and,
Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata – 97 months (extradited from Portugal)
The Department of Justice encourages anyone affected by elder fraud to contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311 for assistance and support.
