A NEW TUIRN has been taken with the U.S. authority’s confirmation of the deportation of Edwin Okoronkwo, a Nigerian national who was convicted of a 75-month prison sentence for orchestrating a sophisticated catfishing scam that defrauded multiple Americans
Okoronkwo, a lawful permanent resident of the United States, was sentenced by a U.S. District Judge on January 29, 2025, after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. His wife, Julie Okoronkwo, who played a key role in the operation, had earlier received a 25-month prison sentence on January 10.
The Explainer gathered that the couple, residing in Nebraska, exploited stolen identities and fabricated online personas, including impersonating senior U.S. military officials, to deceive victims across the country.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the fraudulent scheme was meticulously executed. Using stolen social security numbers and driver’s licence information—some of which Julie allegedly obtained from her workplace at a hospital—the duo lured victims into believing they were engaging with legitimate individuals in distress. To strengthen the illusion, Julie personally contacted victims via phone calls, reinforcing the fabricated narratives that ultimately led to financial losses.
The victims were reportedly manipulated into transferring money through the United States Postal Service, as well as private carriers such as FedEx and UPS.
The Explainer learned that Judge Brian C. Buescher, who presided over Edwin Okoronkwo’s sentencing, described the crimes as “truly a tragedy for the victims,” highlighting the devastating impact of the scam.
Beyond incarceration, Okoronkwo has been ordered to pay restitution amounting to $342,535 to seven victims. Upon completing his prison term, he will be placed under a three-year supervised release before facing deportation proceedings initiated by U.S. immigration authorities.
ALSO READ: Outrage Erupts: TUC Slams FG for Raising Electricity Tariffs, Toll Fees
The Explainer noted that in the American federal system, parole is not an option, meaning Okoronkwo will serve his full sentence.
Julie Okoronkwo, despite receiving a shorter prison term, was also held accountable for her involvement. The Explainer gathered that her role in directly engaging victims and obtaining their data from the hospital where she worked was a crucial factor in her conviction.
The Explainer notes that according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), nearly 70,000 individuals reported falling victim to romance scams in 2022, with losses totalling $1.3 billion. The median reported loss was $4,400.
In 2023, the FTC reported that romance scams resulted in losses of $1.14 billion, with a median loss of $2,000 per person.
These statistics highlight the increasing prevalence of catfishing scams, where fraudsters assume false identities to gain victims’ trust and solicit money.
