The United States Department of Justice has disclosed that A Nigerian, Edwin Okoronkwo, jailed 75 months for fleecing some Americans, will be deported after completing his jail term in the United States.
Okoronkwo was said to have connived with his wife, Julie Okoronkwo, who was also sentenced to 25 months imprisonment for her role in the catfishing scheme that targeted unsuspecting Americans.
The US Department of Justice announced this on it website on Thursday, saying the Okonkwos
who were permanent residents of the US, used fake identities to masquerade as a high-ranking US military personnel to defraud their victims.
The Department accused Julie of using phone calls to lure the victims into believing the authenticity of their claims, adding that the couple obtained money from their victims through postal services.
The statement read, “Edwin Okoronkwo, a citizen of Nigeria and a lawful permanent resident of the United States, and his spouse, Julie Okoronkwo, residing in Nebraska, used “catfishing” schemes to obtain money from victims via the Internet. In doing so, they convinced victims to send money using false online social media personas.
‘In some instances, they claimed to be high-ranking members of the United States military on overseas missions. Through the “catfishing” schemes, victims from all over the country were tricked into sending money through the United States Postal Service and other commercial carriers such as FedEx and UPS.
“Julie Okoronkwo contacted ‘catfishing’ victims over the phone to further convince them of the legitimacy of their need for cash and obtained from her workplace – a hospital – victims’ means of identification, including their social security numbers and Nebraska driver’s licence information.”
According to the statement, after their arrest and prosecution, a US District Judge jailed Julie 25 months in prison on January 10, and Edwin was jailed 75 months
on January 29.
The judge also ordered Edwin to pay restitution of $342,535.00 to some of the victims, a supervised release for three years and deportation.
“United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Edwin Okoronkwo, age 36, of Nigeria, was sentenced on January 29, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Okoronkwo to 75 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.
“After his release from prison, Okoronkwo will be placed on a three-year term of supervised release and will be deported by immigration authorities. Okoronkwo was also ordered to pay restitution of $342,535.00 to seven victims as a result of his crimes.
“Julie Okoronkwo was previously sentenced to imprisonment for 25 months by U.S. District Judge Buescher on January 10, 2025. Judge Buescher stated at Edwin Okoronkwo’s sentencing hearing that the crimes were “truly a tragedy for the victims,” the statement noted.
