Nigerian Man Jailed 97 Months in U.S. for $6M Inheritance Fraud Scheme

A U.S. court has sentenced a Nigerian national, Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, to more than eight years in prison for his role in a transnational inheritance fraud that defrauded over 400 victims, many of them elderly, of more than $6 million.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced that Akhimie, 41, was sentenced on September 11 to 97 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges.

According to court filings, Akhimie and his accomplices mailed personalised letters to U.S. residents, posing as Spanish bank officials. The letters falsely claimed recipients were heirs to multimillion-dollar estates of relatives who had supposedly died abroad. Victims were instructed to pay “delivery charges, taxes, and other costs” to access the inheritance, with warnings that non-payment could trigger “government scrutiny.”

Instead, the fraudsters funnelled the money through a network of intermediaries, including U.S.-based former victims duped into acting as conduits.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said:

“Victims who sent money never received any purported inheritance funds. In pleading guilty, Akhimie admitted to defrauding over $6 million from more than 400 victims, many of whom were elderly or otherwise vulnerable.”

U.S. Attorney Jason Quiñones condemned the crime as a betrayal of trust:

“Schemes like this steal not only money but dignity from our seniors. Our Office stands with victims, ensures their voices are heard, and will relentlessly pursue those who prey on them.”

Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate highlighted the importance of global cooperation in the case:

“The Justice Department will continue to pursue, prosecute, and bring to justice transnational criminals responsible for defrauding U.S. consumers, wherever they are located. This case serves as a testament to the critical role of international collaboration in combating transnational crime.”

The probe was led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with help from international partners including the UK’s National Crime Agency, Crown Prosecution Service, Europol, and authorities in Spain and Portugal.

Acting Inspector in Charge Bladismir Rojo reaffirmed:

“We are committed to protecting American consumers from being defrauded by transnational criminal organisations.”

HSI Arizona’s Acting Special Agent in Charge Ray Rede added:

“Defrauding the elderly and other vulnerable populations is a betrayal of not just trust but of humanity. Justice will prevail, and those who exploit others for personal gain will be held accountable.”

Akhimie is the eighth defendant sentenced in the case. In April, another Nigerian, Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, extradited from Portugal, also received a 97-month sentence from Judge Roy Altman, who described the crime as “an incredibly serious offence” demanding strong punishment to protect “the most vulnerable, the least protected members of our society.”

Other co-conspirators have also been sentenced in related proceedings before Judge Kathleen Williams.

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