The United States Department of Justice has announced the sentencing of Edwin Okoronkwo, a Nigerian citizen and permanent resident of the United States.
Okoronkwo was sentenced to 75 months in prison for his role in a catfish scheme that defrauded Americans.
Okoronkwo and his wife, Juliet Okoronkwo, were involved in the scheme, which used stolen identities to disguise themselves as high-ranking members of the US military and defraud their victims.
The couple’s scheme involved using the internet to convince victims to send them money. They also used phone calls to lure victims into believing their false claims. Juliet Okoronkwo was sentenced to 25 months in prison for her role in the scheme.
The victims of the scheme were located all over the United States. The couple used the US Postal Service, as well as commercial carriers like FedEx and UPS, to obtain money from their victims.
Edwin Okoronkwo’s sentence includes a three-year term of supervised release after his prison term. He has also been ordered to pay restitution to the tune of $342,535.00 to seven victims.
In addition to his prison sentence and supervised release, Okoronkwo will also face deportation to Nigeria. This decision was made by immigration authorities.
The court’s decision was announced by United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr. Lehr highlighted the seriousness of the crimes committed by Okoronkwo and his wife.
The sentencing of Edwin Okoronkwo serves as a warning to those who engage in fraudulent activities. The Department of Justice is committed to protecting Americans from such schemes.
The case against Okoronkwo was heard in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher presided over the case and handed down the sentence.
Leave a comment