A U.S. federal court has handed down a combined total of over 159 years in prison to five Nigerian nationals convicted of orchestrating a sprawling fraud scheme that targeted more than 100 Americans, businesses, and government entities—defrauding victims out of approximately $17 million.
The sentencing details were revealed in an official statement on the U.S. Department of Justice website on Wednesday, signed by Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, Ray Combs.
The defendants—identified as Damilola Kumapayi, Sandra Iribhogbe Popnen, Edgal Iribhogbe, Chidindu Okeke, and Chiagoziem Okeke—were part of a cohesive international criminal operation that began in 2017, according to the DOJ release.
“The defendants coordinated how to extract money from their victims, and then how to disguise, disburse, and launder that money once they successfully defrauded their victims,” Combs said. The victims, many of whom were elderly and vulnerable, were frequently targeted via online dating platforms. The illicit funds were funneled through a network of bank accounts in Africa and Asia.
Each defendant entered guilty pleas or was found guilty on charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering. U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant issued the following sentences per Combs:
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Damilola Kumapayi (39, Plano): 109 months for conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Sandra Iribhogbe Popnen (50, Plano): 365 months for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering
Edgal Iribhogbe (51, Allen): 480 months following guilty verdicts
Chidindu Okeke (32, Houston): 480 months after conviction
Chiagoziem Okeke (32, Houston): 480 months after conviction
Combs emphasized the determination of U.S. authorities to pursue perpetrators targeting the “hard‑earned savings” of vulnerable populations. “Transnational organised criminals… are simply despicable. The defendants’ lengthy sentences reflect the seriousness of their crimes,” he added.
This case illuminates ongoing efforts by U.S. law enforcement to dismantle international fraud rings and protect elderly Americans from sophisticated online scams.
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