Charles Nnamdi Emesim has been jailed for 115 months in the United States for allegedly defrauding 23 victims of more than $700,000.
The sentence was handed down on Wednesday by Robert Wier, according to a statement issued by the United States Department of Justice.
Authorities said Emesim, 53, a legal resident of Newark, New Jersey, was convicted after investigators discovered that he received and laundered proceeds from various internet- and telephone-based scams.
According to the Justice Department, the scams included romance scams, lottery scams, inheritance scams, investment scams, government impersonation scams, and medical expense scams.
Between December 9, 2013, and June 28, 2024, Emesim allegedly operated at least 17 bank accounts under his own name and those of his companies, Chadon Export and Chadon Trucking.
Investigators said at least 23 victims across the United States were deceived into sending more than $700,000 through cash deposits, cashier’s cheques, money transfers, and wire payments into accounts controlled by Emesim.
One victim, identified as a senior citizen and widow living in Kentucky, was allegedly manipulated through a romance scam involving a man using the name “Michael Oliver.”
The victim reportedly believed she was in a romantic relationship and was later introduced to a supposed customs agent named “Samuel Rock” to facilitate a fake transfer of wealth.
According to investigators, the woman later travelled to Lexington airport in Kentucky, where she met the fake customs agent in person, handed over additional money, drove him to a local store, and purchased a computer tablet for him.
The Justice Department stated: “The Court found that Charles Nnamdi Emesim was the individual who impersonated ‘Customs Agent Rock’ when meeting with this victim in person.”
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.
The Justice Department said Emesim frequently withdrew victims’ funds in cash or transferred them into accounts belonging to relatives, businesses, or associates in Nigeria.
Jason Parman described romance scams and financial fraud schemes as “predatory crimes” built on deception and emotional manipulation.
“These criminals do not see victims as people—they see them as targets,” Parman said.
He added that authorities would continue to aggressively pursue fraudsters who exploit trust and devastate families financially and emotionally.
Also commenting, Olivia Olson said Emesim preyed on trusting individuals for more than a decade.
According to her, the sentencing demonstrates law enforcement’s determination to pursue financial criminals who target innocent victims.
During sentencing, the court reportedly described Emesim’s actions as:
“heartless and unquestionably reprehensible.”
The court said the crimes caused severe financial, emotional, and psychological harm to victims.
Under U.S. federal law, Emesim must serve at least 85 per cent of his prison term and will remain under supervised release for three years after completing his sentence.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), while Kate Dieruf prosecuted the matter on behalf of the U.S. government.
