Nigerian man jailed 115 months in US over $700,000 romance scam

A Nigerian national, Charles Nnamdi Emesim, has been sentenced to 115 months imprisonment in the United States over his involvement in a long-running romance and internet fraud scheme that defrauded multiple victims of more than $700,000.

The sentence was handed down on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, according to a statement released on Thursday by the United States Department of Justice.

Authorities said Emesim, 53, a legal resident of Newark, New Jersey, was convicted for conspiracy to commit money laundering connected to several internet-enabled fraud operations, including romance scams, lottery scams, inheritance scams, investment scams, government impersonation schemes and medical expense fraud.

According to investigators, the fraudulent activities lasted between December 9, 2013, and June 28, 2024.

The Justice Department disclosed that Emesim operated at least 17 bank accounts under his name and through companies identified as Chadon Export and Chadon Trucking.

Officials said at least 23 victims across the United States were deceived into transferring more than $700,000 through cash deposits, wire transfers, cashier’s cheques and money transfers into accounts linked to the defendant.

One of the victims, described as an elderly widow residing in Kentucky, was reportedly manipulated through a romance scam involving an individual identified as Michael Oliver.

The victim allegedly believed she was in a genuine romantic relationship before being introduced to a supposed customs official named Samuel Rock, who claimed he could assist in transferring wealth.

According to the statement, the woman later travelled to Lexington airport in Kentucky, where she met the alleged “customs agent,” handed over additional funds, transported him to a store and purchased a computer tablet for him.

“The Court found that Emesim was the individual who impersonated ‘Customs Agent Rock’ when meeting with this victim in person,” the Justice Department stated.

Authorities further revealed that the victim lost tens of thousands of dollars through cash payments, cashier’s cheques, prepaid debit cards and gift cards allegedly sent to Emesim and his associates.

Investigators said Emesim frequently withdrew victims’ funds in cash or transferred them to accounts belonging to family members, businesses and associates in Nigeria.

Jason Parman, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, described romance scams and related financial crimes as predatory schemes driven by deception and emotional exploitation.

He stated that the defendant spent years helping to channel stolen funds from unsuspecting Americans, including elderly victims manipulated into believing they were building genuine relationships.

“These criminals do not see victims as people, they see them as targets,” Parman said.

Also commenting on the case, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Louisville Field Office, Olivia Olson, said Emesim targeted vulnerable individuals for more than a decade.

She added that the sentencing demonstrates law enforcement’s determination to pursue individuals involved in financial fraud schemes.

During the sentencing hearing, the court reportedly described Emesim’s actions as “heartless and unquestionably reprehensible,” noting that the offences caused severe financial, emotional and psychological damage to victims.

Under U.S. federal law, Emesim is expected to serve at least 85 per cent of his prison term and will remain under supervised release for three years after completing his sentence.

The case was investigated by the FBI, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Dieruf prosecuted the matter on behalf of the U.S. government.

Nigerian man jailed 115 months in US over $700,000 romance scam