Anthony Ibekie and Samuel Aniukwu, have been sentenced to a combined 30 years in federal prison.
This sentencing follows their conviction for orchestrating elaborate scams that defrauded U.S. citizens of $3.5 million.
The schemes involved both inheritance and romance scams, exploiting victims' trust and emotions.
According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Ibekie and Aniukwu deceived their victims by claiming they had received substantial inheritances that required upfront payments to claim.
Additionally, they engaged in romance scams, where they built online relationships with victims through social media and dating websites, eventually persuading them to send money under false pretenses.
The investigation, described as "a thorough undercover law enforcement operation," uncovered the extent of their fraudulent activities.
The duo was charged with multiple counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, and making false statements to a bank.
As a result, Anthony Ibekie was sentenced to 20 years, while Samuel Aniukwu received a 10-year sentence.
The case also involves a third defendant, Jennifer Gosha, a U.S. citizen who has pleaded guilty to related charges. She is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18, 2024.
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