A 36-year-old Nigerian man, Okezie Ogbata, has been sentenced to eight years and one month in prison in the United States for his role in a large-scale inheritance scam that cheated more than 400 elderly Americans out of over $6 million.
The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed the sentencing in a statement on Monday, revealing that Ogbata was part of a criminal network that ran the fraudulent operation for several years. The scam involved sending letters that appeared to come from banks in Spain, falsely telling recipients they were entitled to a large inheritance from a distant relative who had died abroad.
The victims, many of whom were elderly or financially vulnerable, were told they had to pay a series of fees—including taxes, legal costs, and delivery charges—before the funds could be released. These payments were framed as necessary to avoid government problems or delays.
According to court documents, Ogbata admitted guilt and took responsibility for helping to defraud over 400 victims. He and his accomplices used a complicated setup involving former victims in the U.S. to collect and forward money. These previous victims were manipulated into acting as middlemen, unknowingly helping the fraudsters continue their scheme.
The DOJ’s statement said, “Victims who sent money never received any purported inheritance funds.”
Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth described the case as an example of how global cooperation can help bring international criminals to justice. “I want to thank our U.S. law enforcement partners, as well as those who assisted across the globe, including the Portuguese Judicial Police and Public Prosecution Service of Portugal, for their outstanding contributions to this case,” he said.
U.S. Attorney Hayden Byrne of the Southern District of Florida noted that authorities are fully committed to finding and prosecuting fraudsters, no matter where they operate. “The long arm of the American justice system has no limits when it comes to reaching fraudsters who prey on our nation’s most vulnerable populations, including the elderly,” he said.
Steven Hodges from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service also noted the importance of continued vigilance. “The USPIS has a long history of protecting American citizens from these types of schemes and bringing those responsible to justice,” he stated.
Francisco Burrola, a Homeland Security Investigations official in Arizona, condemned the actions of Ogbata and his team. “It’s inconceivable to imagine any human being robbing from those who’ve spent a lifetime working and building a life and then are duped out of it all,” he said.
