The United States Department of Justice has announced that Edwin Okoronkwo, a Nigerian national, will be deported following the completion of his 75-month prison sentence for his involvement in an online fraud scheme that targeted unsuspecting Americans.
Okoronkwo and his wife, Julie Okoronkwo, orchestrated a catfishing scam, posing as senior US military officials to manipulate victims into sending money. Both individuals, who were legal residents of the US, exploited stolen identities to make their fraudulent activities more convincing. Julie, a hospital employee, allegedly accessed personal information such as Social Security numbers and driver’s license details to support their deception.
The US District Court in Omaha, Nebraska, sentenced Julie Okoronkwo to 25 months in prison on January 10, 2025, while Edwin Okoronkwo received a 75-month sentence on January 29, 2025.
Apart from his imprisonment, Edwin has also been ordered to:
Repay $342,535 in restitution to seven victims.
Serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his sentence.
During the hearing, Judge Brian C. Buescher described the scam as a devastating tragedy for the victims, highlighting the severe emotional and financial toll of such fraudulent activities.
The couple used social media to contact victims, pretending to be high-ranking military personnel on overseas assignments. Julie played a key role by making direct phone calls to convince victims of their authenticity, persuading them to send money via postal services, FedEx, and UPS.
This scam led to significant financial losses, prompting a detailed investigation that resulted in their arrest and conviction.
Edwin Okoronkwo’s upcoming deportation signals the US government’s commitment to cracking down on financial crimes, particularly identity theft and online scams. The case also highlights the increasing prevalence of romance fraud, which continues to exploit vulnerable individuals worldwide.
Authorities urge people to remain cautious when interacting with strangers online and to report any suspicious activities to law
This case serves as a clear warning about the serious consequences of cyber fraud. While legal action has been taken, it also underscores the need for stronger regulations and awareness campaigns to protect individuals from falling victim to online scams.
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