A Nigerian man based in the United States, Samson Omoniyi, 43, could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of charges related to a multi-state money laundering conspiracy. Omoniyi, alongside eight others, was arrested on allegations of laundering millions of dollars obtained through internet fraud schemes, including business email compromise scams.
The U.S. Department of Justice revealed the details in a press release issued late Wednesday, noting that the indictment was unsealed on Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee. The nine suspects were apprehended in a coordinated operation spanning three U.S. jurisdictions.
The suspects, who include individuals from Tennessee, Texas, and Missouri, are accused of operating a money laundering network since 2016. The indictment claims the group laundered over $20 million by using sham companies and “money mules” to conceal proceeds from fraudulent activities targeting businesses and individuals in the U.S. and abroad.
According to court documents, the network allegedly recruited members to move illicit funds while enriching themselves through the scheme.
“An indictment was unsealed yesterday in Nashville, Tennessee, charging nine members of a money laundering organisation with laundering millions of dollars derived from internet fraud,” the statement said. It further emphasized that all defendants remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment, as stipulated under U.S. sentencing guidelines.
In a separate but related case, two other Nigerians, Anthony Ibekie and Samuel Aniukwu, were recently sentenced to a combined 30 years in prison for defrauding U.S. citizens of $3.5 million through romance scams and fraudulent inheritance schemes.
Federal authorities have reiterated their commitment to combating cyber-enabled fraud, which has caused significant financial harm to victims across the country.
