Five Nigerians in US jailed a combined 159 years, ranging from 109 months to 480 months each
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Five Nigerians in the United States have been sentenced to a combined 159 years in prison for defrauding over 100 elderly Americans, companies, and government entities of $17 million.
A statement issued on the US Department of Justice website – signed by acting US Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, Ray Combs – listed the convicts as Damilola Kumapayi, Sandra Iribhogbe, Edgal Iribhogbe, Chidindu Okeke, and Chiagoziem Okeke, who were part of a transnational organised crime group.
Combs narrated that the convicts began the scheme in 2017 and targeted especially elderly and vulnerable people.
“The defendants coordinated how to extract money from their victims, and then how to disguise, disburse, and launder that money once they successfully defrauded their victims,” he said.
“The scheme resulted in approximately $17 million fraudulently obtained from at least 100 individual victims, companies, and government entities from across the world.
“The scheme specifically targeted elderly persons and used various schemes such as online dating sites to lure their victims.
“Once funds were obtained from their victims, the defendants laundered the money through a network of various bank accounts and sent money to bank accounts, co-conspirators and businesses located in Africa and Asia.”
Following their arrest, they were arraigned on multiple counts involving conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering.
They pleaded guilty to the charges and were sentenced by US District Judge Amos Mazzant to different years of jail term.
The statement said:
- “Damilola Kumapayi, 39, of Plano, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and was sentenced to 109 months in federal prison.
- “Sandra Iribhogbe Popnen, 50, of Plano, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 365 months in federal prison.
- “Edgal Iribhogbe, 51, of Allen, was found guilty at trial of conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 480 months in federal prison.
- “Chidindu Okeke, 32, of Houston, was found guilty at trial of conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 480 months in federal prison.
- “Chiagoziem Okeke, 32, of Houston, was found guilty at trial of conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 480 months in federal prison.”
Combs reiterated that the sentencing is part of the US efforts to track down fraudsters who prey on its citizens as America is resolute in bringing such fraudsters to justice.
“Transnational organised criminals targeting the hard-earned savings of elderly and vulnerable populations are simply despicable.
“The defendants’ lengthy sentences in this case reflect the seriousness of their crimes and the dedication of law enforcement officers and prosecutors to bring them to justice.”
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