Three Nigerian Nationals Charged in Online Romance and Wire Fraud Conspiracy
PROVIDENCE – Three Nigerian nationals have been charged in federal court in Rhode Island for their roles in an alleged online romance and wire fraud scheme.
William Elvis, 35, Moses Kolawole Hezekiah, 34, and Destiny Okobeni Oghentega, 30, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to court documents, beginning in or around early 2021, Elvis, Hezekiah, Oghentega, and others engaged in a scheme to defraud individuals through online impersonation and romance-based scams. Victims, including an elderly Rhode Island resident, were contacted by individuals who falsely portrayed themselves as professionals working overseas and, over time, developed relationships with them.
The conspirators then made repeated requests for money under false pretenses, including claims of financial hardship, legal issues, or medical emergencies. Victims were directed to send funds through gift cards, Bitcoin transactions, and other means, including transfers to accounts controlled by participants in the scheme.
Victims sent substantial sums of money over the course of the scheme. The investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) determined that the identities used were misappropriated, used without the individuals’ knowledge, and that communications and financial activity were traced to the defendants in Nigeria.
A federal criminal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The mission of the Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s older adults. Learn more about the Justice Department’s efforts to protect older Americans from exploitation here.