A 41-year-old Nigerian national, Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, has admitted to running a massive international inheritance scam that targeted vulnerable Americans. The scheme defrauded over 400 victims out of more than $6 million.
How the Scam Worked
Akhimie and his accomplices sent letters to their victims, falsely claiming to represent a Spanish bank. These letters informed victims that a relative had died and left them a multi-million dollar inheritance. However, to receive this inheritance, victims were told they needed to pay various fees, including taxes and delivery charges. After receiving the payments, the scammers disappeared, leaving the victims with nothing.
A 20-Year Sentence
Akhimie pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison. The Department of Justice (DOJ) emphasized its commitment to prosecuting transnational criminals who defraud American citizens, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in these cases. Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate stated that the DOJ’s Consumer Protection Branch will continue to pursue these criminals, regardless of their location.