US court sentences Nigerian to 8 years for $6m elderly scam
A U.S. court has sentenced Nigerian citizen Ehis Lawrence Akhimie to over eight years in prison for his part in an international inheritance fraud scheme that swindled hundreds of elderly victims out of more than $6 million.
On September 11, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced that Akhimie, 41, received a 97-month prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges.
Prosecutors stated that Akhimie and his associates sent personalised letters to victims across the United States, pretending to be Spanish bank officials. The letters falsely claimed the recipients were heirs to multimillion-dollar estates.
Victims were instructed to pay a variety of fees, such as taxes and delivery costs, to get their supposed inheritance.
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However, their funds were laundered through a network of intermediaries, many of whom were previous fraud victims, before being pocketed by the syndicate. Prosecutors confirmed that no victim ever received any inheritance.
U.S. Attorney Jason Quiñones condemned the crime, saying the scheme robbed seniors not just of money but of dignity. Assistant Attorney General Brett A.
Shumate emphasised the importance of international cooperation in dismantling cross-border scams, thanking law enforcement partners in the UK, Spain, Portugal, and Europol for their roles in the investigation.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations, which led the investigation, also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting vulnerable populations from fraud. Officials described the targeting of the elderly as a betrayal of trust and humanity.
Akhimie is the eighth person to be sentenced in this case. In April, another Nigerian, Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, who was extradited from Portugal, also received a 97-month sentence. Other members of the syndicate have also been jailed in related proceedings.
The Justice Department said the case highlights the global nature of financial crimes and the need for ongoing collaboration to hold perpetrators accountable.
It also points to the recurring involvement of Nigerians in cross-border fraud, following a number of high-profile prosecutions in recent years.
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