Court documents reveal that Amos Prince Okey Ezemma, 50, participated in a fraudulent operation targeting elderly victims in the United States. The fraudsters sent personalized letters falsely claiming to be from a bank in Spain, informing recipients that they were entitled to a multimillion-dollar inheritance from a deceased family member in Portugal. 

Victims were instructed to send money for delivery fees and taxes before receiving their supposed inheritance. The fraudsters orchestrated a complex scheme, having victims transfer money through a network of former victims based in the U.S. These former victims were further manipulated to receive funds from new victims and forward the proceeds to the fraud ring.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, emphasized the commitment to prosecuting transnational criminals defrauding U.S. consumers. “The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch will continue to pursue, prosecute, and bring to justice transnational criminals responsible for defrauding U.S. consumers, wherever they are located.”

The case underscores the importance of international cooperation in combatting transnational crime. Boynton expressed gratitude to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and law enforcement agencies from Spain, the UK, and Portugal for their contributions.

Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the USPIS Miami Division highlighted the collaborative effort, stating, “This investigation is a great example of the results the USPIS, the Justice Department, and our law enforcement partners strive to achieve. We will continue to identify and dismantle transnational groups targeting American citizens and using the mail to further their schemes to defraud. Justice has no borders.”

Special Agent in Charge Fransisco B. Burrola of HSI Arizona condemned the targeting of the elderly, calling it "morally reprehensible." He stressed the responsibility of both family members and law enforcement agencies in protecting vulnerable populations. “Together, we are a force multiplier committed to apprehending those who scam our seniors. Let these lengthy sentences serve as reminders that HSI will not tolerate criminals who are motivated by greed.”