Photo: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina

A federal judge sentenced a Nigerian man, Saheed Sunday Owolabi, to 15 years in federal prison for his role defrauding victims from the United States and laundering over $1.5 million to Nigeria. A jury convicted Inmate Owolabi of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

“Who hasn’t suffered some form of the ‘Nigerian Prince’ schemes. Inmate Owolabi, no prince, stole from our vulnerable citizens. This case shows that if you try to defraud the citizens of the Eastern District of North Carolina, our office will bring you to justice no matter where you are. Cheaters. Never. Win,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.

“This conviction underscores the FBI’s unwavering commitment to identifying, disrupting, and dismantling international fraud and money laundering networks who target victims across the United States. The defendant’s role in coordinating complex cyber-enabled schemes demonstrates both the sophistication and global reach of these criminal enterprises.” said Charlotte Special Agent in in Charge Reid Davis, “Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to pursue anyone who targets the U.S. to commit fraud and ensure they are brought to face justice in our U.S. Courts.”

Inmate Owolabi pretended to be a woman to build online relationships with men in the United States, a scheme known as a romance scam. He and his co-conspirators used these fake relationships to cheat victims into sending money and personal information. Inmate Owolabi and others used bank accounts provided by the victims to launder money from other fraudulent operations and stole more than $120,000 from a victim in the EDNC, among many other victims.

In sentencing Inmate Owolabi to 15 years in prison, Chief Judge Myers determined that Inmate Owolabi was a leader or organizer within an extensive organization, engaged in sophisticated money laundering, and caused substantial financial hardship to victims from his schemes. At sentencing, the prosecution highlighted images discovered on Inmate Owolabi’s phone at the time of his arrest showing how he greedily blew this stolen money.

Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The FBI investigated the case, and Assistant United States Attorney Brad DeVoe is prosecuting the case.

Press Relese from: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina