Three Nigerians Charged in Online Romance Fraud Scheme

William Elvi, Mose Hezekiah, and Destini Oghentega have been charged in the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island for allegedly participating in an online romance wire fraud scheme that commenced in early 2021.

According to a statement from the Department of Justice, the suspects conspired to target multiple victims by impersonating professionals working overseas and developing relationships with them. The victims, including elderly residents of Rhode Island, were misled into sending money under false pretenses, claiming financial hardships, legal issues, or medical emergencies.

The investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation revealed that the scheme involved stolen identities without the knowledge of the actual individuals. Victims reportedly lost substantial amounts of money, with funds being sent via gift cards and Bitcoin transactions.

The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This case highlights ongoing issues related to online fraud and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.