$3.5M Romance Scam: Two US-Based Nigerians Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison

Two Nigerian men, Anthony Ibekie and Samuel Aniukwu, have been sentenced to a combined 30 years in prison for their role in a large-scale romance scam that defrauded American citizens of $3.5 million. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the sentences after an undercover investigation uncovered their extensive fraudulent activities targeting victims across the country.

Ibekie, 59, of Oswego, Illinois, was convicted on multiple charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, and passport fraud. U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger sentenced him to 20 years in prison. Aniukwu, 50, from Romeoville, Illinois, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges last year and was sentenced to 10 years in prison on November 8, 2024.

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The two men used fake identities to build trust with their victims, convincing them they were the beneficiaries of large inheritances. They then asked victims to send money to claim these supposed fortunes. Their scheme also included running a romance scam through social media and dating platforms, where they pretended to form online relationships with targets to further manipulate them into sending funds.

In addition to the romance and inheritance scams, Aniukwu and Ibekie were involved in a business email compromise scheme, which targeted corporate accounts. Their fraudulent operations caused financial losses totaling at least $3.5 million.

Jennifer Gosha, a U.S. citizen with ties to the scam, is also facing legal consequences. She has admitted to her involvement and is scheduled for sentencing on December 18, 2024. Gosha, 52, of Oak Park, Illinois, pleaded guilty earlier this year to wire fraud and providing false statements to federal authorities.