The Conviction: Internet Fraud Schemes
Olugbenga Lawal, a 33-year-old Nigerian national residing in Indianapolis, was sentenced to 10 years and a month in prison and ordered to pay over $1.46 million in restitution.
He was found guilty of conspiring to launder money derived from internet fraud schemes.
Role in Criminal Activities
Lawal collaborated with a Nigeria-based criminal organization involved in defrauding individuals and businesses across the United States.
The schemes included romance fraud and business email compromise, often targeting elderly victims who believed they were in romantic relationships with individuals they met online.
Laundering Millions
Between January 2019 and June 2020, Lawal and his associates received millions of dollars through various bank accounts, with funds directly traced to defrauded victims.
He controlled multiple accounts across different financial institutions, totaling over $3.6 million in deposits.
Money Laundering Operations
Lawal facilitated the movement of fraudulent funds by converting them into Nigerian currency accessible in Nigeria.
He engaged in import/export transactions, shipping cars to Nigeria, and conducting currency exchange operations to repatriate the criminal organization’s proceeds back to Nigeria.
Legal Proceedings and Verdict
In August 2023, Lawal was convicted by a federal jury for conspiring to commit money laundering.
Three others involved in the scheme had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Authorities and Investigation
The United States Justice Department, through Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri and U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss, along with Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, announced Lawal’s sentencing.
The FBI conducted the investigation.
Prosecution Details
The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys from the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the District of Delaware, with support from various legal personnel specializing in money laundering cases.
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