Nigerian National Sentenced to 19 Years in US for Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme
A United States District Court has handed down a significant sentence to Nigerian national Leslie Chinedu Mba, aged 40, for his involvement in a sophisticated fraud operation that resulted in losses exceeding $4 million. The court imposed a prison term of 19 years, equivalent to 228 months, and mandated deportation upon completion of his sentence.
Details of the Fraudulent Activities
Prosecutors revealed that Mba, along with co-conspirators, executed a series of business email compromise and romance scams from April 2018 to December 2023. These schemes targeted unsuspecting victims by gaining unauthorized access to business email accounts and redirecting payments to fraudulent bank accounts. Victims were misled into believing they were transferring funds to legitimate entities, resulting in substantial financial damages.
The fraud network extended internationally, with associates acting as money mules to launder the illicit proceeds. US Attorney Nicholas Ganjei emphasized the coordinated nature of the crimes, highlighting how the operations began overseas before impacting victims in the United States.
Attempts to Secure Residency Through Sham Marriages
In addition to the fraud charges, Mba pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit false statements in immigration documents. Court documents disclosed that he attempted to obtain legal residency in the US by entering into multiple fraudulent marriages with elderly women, following previous denials of his residency applications.
Judge David Hittner presided over the case, sentencing Mba after his guilty plea on December 4, 2025. The judgment underscores the legal consequences for immigration fraud intertwined with financial crimes.
Sentencing of Co-Conspirators
Four other individuals linked to the scheme have also faced sentencing:
- Grace Morisho, 30, received a sentence between 15 and 25 months.
- Rodgers Kadikilo, 30, was sentenced to a similar range.
- Kristin Smith, 38, also faced 15 to 25 months in prison.
- Alexandra Golovko, 36, was handed five years of probation.
These sentences reflect the broader crackdown on fraud networks operating across borders.
Context of Nigerian Convictions in the US
Mba's case adds to a growing list of Nigerians convicted in the United States for fraud-related offenses. Reports indicate that under current immigration enforcement policies, at least 113 Nigerians convicted of various crimes are scheduled for deportation, highlighting ongoing efforts to address international criminal activities.
This sentencing follows a similar case earlier reported, where another Nigerian national, Matthew A. Akande, was sentenced to eight years in prison for hacking tax preparation firms to file fake returns and steal government funds, underscoring a pattern of cyber-enabled fraud involving Nigerian perpetrators.
