US Charges Three Nigerians Over Online Romance Wire Fraud Scheme

Three Nigerians have been indicted in a federal court in Rhode Island for their alleged roles in a romance-based wire fraud conspiracy. Prosecutors say William Elvis, Moses Kolawole Hezekiah, and Destiny Okobeni Oghentega posed as professionals abroad to gain victims’ trust. Beginning in early 2021, the trio and others allegedly lured victims— including an elderly Rhode Island resident—into fake relationships. They then pressured them to send money for purported emergencies via gift cards, Bitcoin, and transfers to Nigerian-controlled accounts. An FBI investigation traced misappropriated identities and financial transactions back to the defendants in Nigeria. Each faces one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The indictment is an accusation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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