By Our Correspondent
National News – United States federal prosecutors have charged three Nigerian nationals over an alleged online romance and wire fraud scheme that reportedly targeted victims, including an elderly resident in Rhode Island.
The accused — William Elvis, Moses Hezekiah, and Destiny Oghentega — were charged in a federal court in Rhode Island on Thursday, according to a statement released by the US Department of Justice.
The case highlights growing international efforts to combat cyber-enabled financial crimes linked to online impersonation scams.
The charges were filed in Rhode Island, United States, where investigators said the suspects allegedly participated in a coordinated fraud operation that began in early 2021.
According to court documents, the defendants and their alleged accomplices posed as professionals working overseas to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims through online communication platforms.
Authorities explained that the suspects allegedly developed long-term digital relationships with victims before making repeated requests for money.
Prosecutors said these requests were made under false claims, including medical emergencies, legal troubles, and financial hardship.
Victims were reportedly instructed to send money through gift cards, Bitcoin transactions, and direct transfers into accounts allegedly controlled by members of the fraud network.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation said its investigation traced communication records and financial transactions linked to the alleged scheme back to the defendants in Nigeria.
Investigators also determined that the identities used to contact victims were allegedly stolen and used without the consent of the real individuals.
This case underscores increasing global concern over cyber fraud targeting vulnerable individuals.
How the suspects will respond remains uncertain, as US prosecutors stressed that the charges are only allegations and that all three defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The latest case follows another recent prosecution involving a Nigerian-based suspect accused of operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business involving more than $5 million in allegedly illegal funds.
