A Nigerian man, Charles Nnamdi Emesim, has been sentenced to 115 months in prison in the United States for conspiracy to commit money laundering linked to a decade-long romance and internet fraud scheme that defrauded at least 23 victims of more than $700,000.

The sentence was handed down on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The statement said Emesim, 53, who is legally resident in Newark, New Jersey, was convicted for conspiracy to commit money laundering after authorities found that he received and laundered proceeds from “internet- and telephone-enabled scams,” including romance scams, lottery scams, inheritance scams, investment scams, government imposter scams, and medical expense scams.

According to the department, between December 9, 2013, and June 28, 2024, Emesim operated at least 17 bank accounts under his name and the names of his companies, Chadon Export and Chadon Trucking.

Investigators said at least 23 victims across the United States were defrauded into sending more than $700,000 through cash deposits, cashier’s checks, money transfers, and wired payments into accounts controlled by Emesim.

One of the victims, described as “a senior citizen and widow living in the Eastern District of Kentucky,” was allegedly deceived through a romance scam involving a man identified as “Michael Oliver.”

The victim was reportedly made to believe she was in a romantic relationship and was introduced to a supposed “customs agent” identified as Samuel Rock to facilitate a transfer of wealth.

According to the statement, the victim later travelled to Lexington airport in Kentucky, where she met the supposed Customs agent in person, handed him additional money, drove him to a local store, and bought him a computer tablet.

“The Court found that Emesim was the individual who impersonated ‘Customs Agent Rock’ when meeting with this victim in person,” the statement added.

Authorities said the victim lost “tens of thousands of dollars” through cash payments, cashier’s checks, prepaid debit cards, and gift cards sent to Emesim and his associates.

The Justice Department further stated that Emesim frequently withdrew victims’ funds in cash or transferred the money into accounts belonging to relatives, businesses, or family members in Nigeria.

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, described romance scams and financial fraud schemes as “predatory crimes” that rely on “deception, emotional manipulation, and calculated exploitation.”

He said the defendant “spent years helping funnel stolen money from hardworking Americans,” including an elderly victim who “was manipulated into believing she was building a genuine relationship.”

“These criminals do not see victims as people—they see them as targets,” Parman said, adding that authorities would continue to “aggressively pursue and prosecute those who exploit trust, devastate families, and profit from fraud.”

Also commenting, Federal Bureau of Investigation Louisville Field Office Special Agent in Charge, Olivia Olson, said Emesim “preyed upon trusting men and women” for more than a decade.

She added that the sentencing shows that law enforcement agencies remain committed to pursuing “criminals who operate financial scams at the expense of innocent Americans.”

During the sentencing hearing, the court described Emesim’s conduct as “heartless and unquestionably reprehensible,” saying the crimes caused severe financial, emotional, and psychological harm to victims.

Under U.S. federal law, Emesim is required to serve 85 per cent of his prison sentence and will remain under supervision for three years after release.

The case was investigated by the FBI, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Dieruf prosecuted the matter on behalf of the United States government. (The PUNCH)

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