Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, a 36-year-old Nigerian national, has admitted to his involvement in a transnational inheritance scam that defrauded over $6 million from more than 400 victims, many of whom were elderly or vulnerable. Ogbata pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. His sentencing is set for April 14, 2025, before Judge Roy K. Altman, with Ogbata facing up to 20 years in prison.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the fraudulent scheme spanned several years and involved the sending of personalized letters to victims. These letters falsely claimed to represent a Spanish bank, alleging that the recipients were entitled to large inheritances left by deceased family members overseas. The victims were tricked into sending money for various fees, including supposed delivery costs, taxes, and other payments, all to facilitate the release of their alleged inheritance funds.
Ogbata and his accomplices operated a complex system that involved U.S.-based individuals, many of whom were former victims of the scam, who collected and forwarded the money to the perpetrators. Despite the victims sending large sums of money, none of them ever received any inheritance, as the entire operation was based on lies.
The fraud resulted in losses exceeding $6 million, with Ogbata admitting his role in the scheme. The U.S. Department of Justice emphasized the international collaboration involved in bringing the perpetrators to justice. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton praised the efforts of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and international partners like the Portuguese Judicial Police and the Public Prosecution Service of Portugal for their vital contributions to the case.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida underscored the reach of the American justice system, stating that fraudsters targeting vulnerable populations, especially the elderly, would be pursued relentlessly. He assured that transnational criminals would face justice, regardless of their location.
This case is part of a broader investigation into a global fraud scheme. Six co-conspirators from the United Kingdom, Spain, and Nigeria have already been convicted and sentenced for their roles. On November 1, 2023, Ezennia Peter Neboh, who was extradited from Spain, was sentenced to 128 months in prison. Earlier, Kennedy Ikponmwosa, also extradited from Spain, received a 97-month sentence on October 20, 2023. Three other defendants extradited from the United Kingdom—Emmanuel Samuel, Jerry Chucks Ozor, and Iheanyichukwu Jonathan Abraham—received prison sentences ranging from 82 to 90 months.
Prince Amos Okey Ezemma, who was paroled into the U.S. from Nigeria, was also sentenced to 90 months in prison for his role in the scam.
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