A Nigerian national, Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, has been sentenced to 97 months (over 8 years) in prison for his role in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that swindled more than 400 elderly Americans out of $6 million.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the sentence on Monday. Akhimie, 41, who was extradited from the United Kingdom, pleaded guilty to defrauding victims through a network of letters falsely claiming they were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from deceased relatives abroad.
Victims were instructed to pay fees, taxes, and other costs upfront to claim their supposed inheritance, but none of the funds were ever delivered. Akhimie and his co-conspirators used a complex web of U.S.-based intermediaries to collect and launder the money.
“Schemes like this steal not only money but dignity from our seniors,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Our Office stands with victims, ensures their voices are heard, and will relentlessly pursue those who prey on them.”
This marks the eighth sentencing of Nigerians linked to the fraud. Previous defendants, including Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, who was extradited from Portugal, received similar prison terms.
The investigation was led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations, with critical support from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, Europol, and authorities in the UK, Spain, and Portugal.
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate said the case underscores the importance of international collaboration in prosecuting transnational crimes. “Justice will prevail, and those who exploit others for personal gain will be held accountable,” he added.
