NORFOLK, Va. – A Suffolk man was sentenced as we speak to over 9 years in jail for his function in a world fraud conspiracy that stole over $3.9 million from tons of of victims.
“William Onyebuchi Ogbonna was an organizer and chief of a giant, worldwide conspiracy to defraud tons of of victims, a lot of who had been aged, of tens of millions of {dollars},” mentioned G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Legal professional for the Japanese District of Virginia. “Elder justice has been a precedence for this workplace for the previous two years and this case is proof optimistic of that dedication. We’re combatting these scams via schooling and consciousness, deterrence, and prosecution.”
In response to court docket paperwork, Ogbonna, 44, initially from Nigeria and now a naturalized citizen, spent a minimum of three years conspiring with native, nationwide, and worldwide conspirators to steal over $3.9 Million from unwitting victims. The victims had been topics of lottery, inheritance, romance, and actual property scams, amongst different forms of fraud, who had been tricked into sending cash to dozens of financial institution accounts Ogbonna opened in his title, within the faux title “Donald Miller,” and within the title of varied enterprise entities he created to additional the scheme. Ogbonna would take a share, after which ship the remaining cash to Nigeria, China, and different nations. Nearly all of victims had been aged and lots of turned destitute because of Ogbonna and his conspirators’ actions.
Combatting elder abuse and monetary fraud focused at seniors is a key precedence of the Division of Justice. Elder abuse is an intentional or negligent act by any person who causes hurt or a severe threat of hurt to an older grownup. It’s a time period used to explain 5 subtypes of elder abuse: bodily abuse, monetary fraud, scams and exploitation, caregiver neglect and abandonment, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse. Elder abuse is a severe crime towards a few of our nation’s most weak residents, affecting a minimum of 10 % of older Individuals yearly. Along with our federal, state, native and tribal companions, the Division of Justice is steadfastly dedicated to combatting all types of elder abuse and monetary exploitation via enforcement actions, coaching and sources, analysis, sufferer providers, and public consciousness. This holistic and sturdy response demonstrates the Division’s unwavering dedication to combating for justice for older Individuals.
G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Legal professional for the Japanese District of Virginia; Martin Culbreth, Particular Agent in Cost of the FBI’s Norfolk Area Workplace; and Kelly R. Jackson, Particular Agent in Cost, Washington, D.C. Area Workplace, IRS-Felony Investigation (IRS-CI), made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Choose Robert G. Doumar. Assistant U.S. Legal professional Elizabeth M. Yusi prosecuted the case.
A replica of this press launch is positioned on the web site of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Japanese District of Virginia. Associated court docket paperwork and knowledge are positioned on the web site of the District Court for the Japanese District of Virginia or on PACER by looking for Case No. 2:19-cr-084.
