US-based Nigerian jailed nine years for romance scam

A Nigerian, Charles Emesim, has been sentenced to 115 months in prison by the United States District Judge, Robert Weir, for defrauding people through the Internet.

Emesim, a resident of Newark, New Jersey, was sentenced for conspiracy to commit money laundering following his engagements in a decade-long scheme to receive and launder the proceeds of different Internet- and telephone-enabled scams.

In a press statement by the Department of Justice on Thursday, the 53-year-old created multiple schemes, including romance scams, government imposter scams, lottery scams, investment scams, inheritance scams, and medical expense scams from December 9, 2013 to June 28, 2024.

The statement read. “Emesim opened and operated at least 17 bank accounts in his name, or in the names of his companies, Chadon Export or Chadon Trucking.

“Throughout this time, at least 23 individuals located around the United States were defrauded into sending a total of more than $700,000 to Emesim by mailing cash or cashier’s checks to his addresses, sending money transfers, or otherwise wiring funds into his bank accounts.”