Transnational Organized Crime Syndicate Sentenced to Over 160 Years in Federal Prison

Strategic Insights -

Law enforcement and prosecutors from the Eastern District of Texas, the FBI, and IRS-CI have brought justice to victims of an elaborate transnational organized crime syndicate that defrauded millions of dollars. The syndicate, led by individuals from Plano and Allen, Texas, targeted elderly and vulnerable populations through various schemes, including online romance scams, business email compromise, and unemployment insurance fraud. Following lengthy investigations and trials, multiple defendants have been sentenced to federal prison, with total sentences amounting to nearly 160 years.

Key Takeaways:

  • Damilola Kumapayi, 39, of Plano, was sentenced to 109 months in federal prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud.
  • Sandra Iribhogbe Popnen, 50, of Plano, was sentenced to 365 months in federal prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering.
  • Edgal Iribhogbe, 51, of Allen, was sentenced to 480 months in federal prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering.
  • Chiagoziem Okeke, 32, of Houston, was sentenced to 480 months in federal prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering.
  • Chidindu Okeke, 32, of Houston, was sentenced to 480 months in federal prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering.
  • The transnational organized crime syndicate defrauded approximately $17 million from at least 100 individual victims, companies, and government entities from across the world.
  • The syndicate used various schemes to target elderly persons, including online dating sites and business email compromise.
  • Once funds were obtained from their victims, the defendants laundered the money through a network of banks and sent it to accounts in Africa and Asia.

Statistics:

  • Total sentences amount to 159 years and 3 months.
  • 5 defendants were sentenced to prison for their roles in the transnational organized crime syndicate.
  • $17 million was defrauded from at least 100 individual victims, companies, and government entities.
  • The scheme targeted approximately 100 individual victims.
  • 14 agencies and organizations participated in the investigation, including the FBI's Dallas Field Office and IRS-CI.

Sources:

  • Office of United States Attorneys
  • FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock
  • IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Office Christopher J. Altemus, Jr.