THE United States Department of Justice has announced that Edwin Okoronkwo, a Nigerian convicted of defrauding multiple Americans, will be deported after completing his 75-month prison sentence.
Okoronkwo was found guilty of conspiring with his wife, Julie Okoronkwo, in a catfishing scheme that involved impersonating high-ranking US military officials to deceive victims into sending money.
Julie, who played a key role in the scam by making phone calls to convince victims of the scheme’s authenticity, was sentenced to 25 months in prison.
According to a statement from the US Department of Justice, the couple, who were permanent residents of the United States, used stolen identities to carry out their fraudulent activities.
The statement also revealed that Julie obtained victims’ social security numbers and driver’s license information from her workplace at a hospital, further aiding the deception.
The court found that victims were tricked into sending money through the US Postal Service, FedEx, and UPS, believing they were assisting military personnel on overseas missions.
Hence, Julie was sentenced on January 10, 2025, while Edwin was sentenced on January 29, 2025, by US District Judge Brian C. Buescher in Omaha, Nebraska.
In addition to his prison term, Edwin was ordered to pay $342,535.00 in restitution to seven victims and will be placed on three years of supervised release before deportation.
Judge Buescher described the crimes as “tragedy for the victims,” emphasising the severe impact of the fraudulent scheme. With no parole in the US federal system, Edwin will serve his full sentence before being handed over to immigration authorities for deportation.
