$17 Million Scam: U.S. Court Sentences Five Nigerians to Nearly 160 Years in Prison Over Massive Fraud Ring

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In one of the largest cyber fraud cases involving foreign nationals in recent years, a U.S. District Court in Sherman, Texas, has sentenced five Nigerian citizens to a combined 160 years in federal prison for their roles in a sophisticated $17 million fraud scheme that affected over 100 victims.

The convicted individuals—Edgal Iribhogbe (40 years), Chidindu Okeke (40 years), Chiagoziem Okeke (40 years), Sandra Iribhogbe (just over 30 years), and Damilola Kumapayi (9 years)—were found guilty of orchestrating a web of financial crimes, including romance scams, business email compromise (BEC), investor fraud, unemployment fraud, and insurance fraud.

The elaborate operation spanned multiple years and targeted individuals, private companies, and government entities, siphoning millions through digital deception, emotional manipulation, and fraudulent online transactions. Victims were left financially devastated, some losing life savings to fake relationships and false business deals.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the fraudsters operated as part of a coordinated network that laundered money through shell companies, cryptocurrency wallets, and fake identities, masking their activities and avoiding detection for years.

The federal court’s sentencing reflects a major step in the United States’ crackdown on international cybercrime, with officials reiterating that “fraud has no borders, and justice will follow wherever the crime leads.”

The case has reignited conversations in Nigeria around the global impact of cybercrime and the urgent need for digital ethics education, international cooperation, and stronger regulatory frameworks to prevent future scams.

As the story continues to trend across social platforms, many Nigerians have expressed embarrassment and frustration over the negative global perception that such incidents reinforce. Meanwhile, calls are growing for deeper reforms at home and more proactive measures to steer youths away from cybercriminal activities.