Nigerian fraudster Edwin Okoronkwo sentenced to 75 months in US prison for catfishing scam, ordered to repay victims and face deportation

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he United States Department of Justice has confirmed that Nigerian national Edwin Okoronkwo, who was sentenced to 75 months in prison for defrauding multiple Americans, will be deported after completing his jail term.

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Okoronkwo, along with his wife, Julie Okoronkwo, orchestrated a catfishing scheme that tricked unsuspecting victims into sending money by posing as high-ranking US military officials.

Julie, who played a key role in deceiving victims through phone calls and identity theft, was sentenced to 25 months in prison.

According to a statement released by the US Department of Justice, the couple used stolen identities to enhance the credibility of their scam.

Julie, who worked in a hospital, illegally accessed patients’ personal information, including Social Security numbers and driver’s licence details, to further their fraud.

Victims were manipulated into sending money through postal services such as FedEx, UPS, and the US Postal Service.

Following their convictions, a US District Judge sentenced Edwin Okoronkwo on January 29, 2025, ordering him to pay $342,535 in restitution to seven victims.

The court also imposed a three-year supervised release period after his prison term, after which he will be deported.

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Julie Okoronkwo had been sentenced earlier, on January 10, 2025. The judge condemned the couple’s actions, describing the case as a “true tragedy for the victims.”