Nigerian man jailed for romance scam after US court convicts Charles Emesim in $700,000 fraud and money laundering case

A Nigerian man, Charles Nnamdi Emesim, has been sentenced to 115 months in prison in the United States for conspiracy to commit money laundering connected to a long-running romance and internet fraud scheme that defrauded victims of more than $700,000.

Also read: Nigerian man jailed 20 years for romance and email fraud

The sentence was handed down on Wednesday by Robert Wier, according to a statement issued by the United States Department of Justice on Thursday.

Authorities said Emesim, 53, who legally resides in Newark, New Jersey, was convicted after investigators linked him to multiple internet-enabled fraud operations, including romance scams, lottery scams, inheritance scams, investment fraud and government impersonation schemes.

According to the Justice Department, the fraudulent activities took place between December 2013 and June 2024.

Investigators revealed that Emesim operated at least 17 bank accounts under his personal name and through businesses identified as Chadon Export and Chadon Trucking.

The department said at least 23 victims across the United States were deceived into transferring more than $700,000 through cash deposits, cashier’s cheques, money transfers and electronic payments into accounts controlled by the defendant.

Nigerian man jailed for romance scam after authorities uncovered what prosecutors described as a calculated operation involving emotional manipulation and financial exploitation of vulnerable victims.

One of the victims, identified as an elderly widow living in Kentucky, was reportedly manipulated through a romance scam involving a fake identity known as “Michael Oliver.”

The victim was allegedly convinced she was involved in a genuine romantic relationship before being introduced to a supposed customs agent identified as Samuel Rock.

According to investigators, the victim later met the fake customs agent in person at Lexington airport in Kentucky, handed over additional money and even purchased a computer tablet for him.

The Justice Department stated that the court found Emesim to be the individual who impersonated “Customs Agent Rock” during the meeting.

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

Investigators further disclosed that Emesim frequently withdrew victims’ funds in cash or transferred the money to relatives, businesses and associates in Nigeria.

First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Jason Parman, described romance scams as predatory crimes built on deception and emotional manipulation.

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

Also commenting on the case, Olivia Olson said the defendant preyed on trusting individuals for more than a decade.

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

Under US federal law, Emesim will be required to serve at least 85 per cent of his prison term before becoming eligible for release.