Within
weeks, their relationship grew into an internet romance with the man sending
daily emails in English that she translated via Google, for over 10 months, she sent him a total of
$200,000 that she borrowed from friends, her ex-husband and other relatives
 |
| Nigerians arrested in Nairobi they were later deported |
In
March 2016, a man claiming to be a US Army captain stationed in Syria reached
out to a Japanese woman on an international site for digital pen pals.
Within
weeks, their relationship grew into an internet romance with the man sending
daily emails in English that she translated via Google. The man who called
himself Terry Garcia asked for money -- lots of it -- from the woman identified
as FK in federal court documents. Over 10 months, she sent him a total of
$200,000 that she borrowed from friends, her ex-husband and other relatives to
make her love interest happy.
But
in reality, Garcia did not exist. It was all an international online scam ran
by two Nigerian men in the Los Angeles area with the help of associates in
their home country and other nations, federal officials say.
Federal
prosecutors in the United States of America say that 80 people, mostly
Nigerians, have been charged in courts within the US with being part of a
widespread conspiracy that stole millions of dollars from businesses and
elderly individuals through a variety of scams then laundered the money.
Law
enforcement officers arrested 14 people in the United States on last week, the
US Attorney in Los Angeles told reporters while announcing a 252-count indictment
that was unsealed. At least three other defendants were already in custody. Six
defendants living in the United States are fugitives.The remaining defendants
live in other countries, principally Nigeria.
"Today's
announcement highlights the extensive efforts that organized criminal groups
will engage in to perpetrate (business compromise email) schemes that target
American citizens and their hard-earned assets," said Assistant Director
in Charge Paul Delacourt of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office. "Billions
of dollars are lost annually, and we urge citizens to be aware of these
sophisticated financial schemes to protect themselves or their businesses from
becoming unsuspecting victims.
All
defendants will face charges of conspiracy to commit fraud, conspiracy to
launder money, and aggravated identity theft. Some also will face fraud and
money laundering charge.
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