Three Nigerian nationals residing in the United States, Olumide Olorunfunmi, Samson Amos, and Emmanuel Unuigbe, are facing a combined 60-year jail term for allegedly laundering $4.5 million in proceeds from romance scams and business email compromise schemes.
According to a statement by the US Department of Justice, the trio conspired to launder money, causing losses to approximately 125 victims in the US. While Amos and Unuigbe pleaded guilty in 2023, Olorunfunmi admitted guilt during his arraignment on Friday.
The scheme, which operated between 2020 and 2023, involved victims depositing money into accounts controlled by Amos and his co-conspirators.
The defendants then transferred the funds to accounts in Nigeria, keeping a percentage of the deposited amounts.
Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for money laundering conspiracy. A sentencing date has not been set.
