By Our Reporter
Okezie Ogbata, a Nigerian national, has pleaded guilty in a Florida district court to defrauding more than 400 elderly and vulnerable Americans out of over $6 million through a cross-border inheritance scam.
The US Department of Justice reports that Ogbata, 36, and his accomplices deceived victims by sending fake letters, posing as representatives of a Spanish bank. These letters falsely informed recipients that they were entitled to large inheritances from deceased relatives overseas, instructing them to pay fees for delivery, taxes, and other expenses to avoid government scrutiny.
In his January 15 plea, Ogbata admitted to masterminding the scheme, which primarily targeted older and more vulnerable individuals.
“This case highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating transnational crime,” said General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.
Ogbata will be sentenced on April 14, 2025, by US District Judge Roy Altman, facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.