Three Nigerian nationals residing in the United States, Olumide Olorunfunmi, Samson Amos, and Emmanuel Unuigbe, are facing a possible combined prison sentence of up to 60 years over allegations of laundering $4.5 million.
According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday, the trio reportedly collaborated to launder illicit funds, leading to financial losses for approximately 125 victims across the U.S.
The laundered funds were traced back to fraudulent activities, including romance scams and business email compromise schemes.
While Amos and Unuigbe had previously entered guilty pleas in 2023, Olorunfunmi admitted guilt during his arraignment in a federal court on Friday.
The statement detailed, “Olumide Olorunfunmi, 39, a Nigerian national, appeared in federal court in Charlotte today and pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy for laundering millions in criminal proceeds linked to romance scams and business email compromise schemes.
“According to documents filed with the court and today’s plea hearing, the scheme caused more than 125 victims to transfer over $4.5 million of proceeds stemming from illegal activities.”
It further revealed that both Amos and Unuigbe, also Nigerian nationals, had pleaded guilty to similar federal charges and were awaiting sentencing.
Outlining the mechanics of the operation, the statement explained that victims were instructed to deposit funds into accounts controlled by Amos and his associates, who then transferred the money to accounts in Nigeria.
The fraudulent activities took place between 2020 and 2023, with the perpetrators allegedly keeping a portion of the stolen funds for themselves.
The statement elaborated, “As Olorunfunmi admitted in court today, from 2020 through 2023, Olorunfunmi conspired with Amos, Unuigbe, and others to launder the criminal proceeds of various illegal activities, including romance scams that typically targeted elderly victims and business email compromise schemes.
“Court records show that the victims of the schemes were directed to transfer funds into domestic and international bank accounts controlled by Olorunfunmi and his co-conspirators. Upon receiving the fraud proceeds, Olorunfunmi and his co-conspirators transferred the funds to other bank accounts, in the U.S. and overseas.
“They also profited by agreeing to ‘pay’ for the domestic deposits received by others by transferring Nigerian Naira from accounts the co-conspirators controlled in Nigeria to other accounts, based upon a ‘black market’ exchange rate for United States Dollars to Naira.”
The Department of Justice confirmed that each of the defendants faces a maximum sentence of 20 years for their involvement in the conspiracy.
“The charge of money laundering conspiracy carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set,” the statement stated.
