The United States Department of Justice has charged nine individuals, including a Nigerian national, for their involvement in a sophisticated money laundering organization.
This group is accused of laundering over $20 million obtained through internet fraud schemes, such as business email compromise, since 2016.
The indictment, unsealed in Nashville, Tennessee, names the defendants as Samson A. Omoniyi from Houston, Misha L. Cooper and Robert A. Cooper from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Carlesha L. Perry from Houston, Whitney D. Bardley from Florissant, Missouri, Lauren O. Guidry from Houston, Caira Y. Osby from Houston, Dazai S. Harris from Murfreesboro, and Edward D. Peebles from Murfreesboro.
These individuals face charges of conspiracy to engage in money laundering, with potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
According to the Department of Justice, the organization operated across multiple states, employing "recruiters or 'herders'" to direct "money mules" in laundering funds derived from fraudulent activities targeting businesses and individuals both in the United States and abroad.
The conspirators allegedly used sham and front companies to obscure the origins of the illicit proceeds, thereby enriching themselves.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri emphasized the gravity of the charges, stating, "An indictment was unsealed yesterday in Nashville, Tennessee, charging nine members of a multi-state money laundering organization responsible for laundering millions of dollars derived from internet fraud."
The investigation, led by the FBI's Nashville and Salt Lake City Field Offices, with assistance from the Boise Resident Agency, underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation in combating complex financial crimes.
Comments