The United States Department of Justice has announced that a Nigerian national, Edwin Okoronkwo, will be deported after serving a 75-month prison sentence for defrauding multiple Americans through an online scam.
Okoronkwo and his wife, Julie Okoronkwo, who was also sentenced to 25 months in prison, ran a catfishing scheme where they impersonated high-ranking U.S. military officials to deceive victims into sending money.
Authorities revealed that Julie played a key role in making the scam appear legitimate by communicating with victims over the phone. She also used her position at a hospital to steal victims’ personal information, including social security numbers and driver’s licenses.
The couple collected money from victims through postal services and other carriers like FedEx and UPS.
Following their prosecution, a U.S. District Judge sentenced Edwin on January 29, 2025, ordering him to pay $342,535 in restitution to seven victims. He will also be placed on supervised release for three years before deportation.
Julie was sentenced earlier, on January 10, 2025, for her role in the fraud.
