A United States federal court has sentenced Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, a 41-year-old Nigerian, to 97 months in prison for his central role in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that stole over $6 million from more than 400 victims, many of whom were elderly and vulnerable. The sentencing took place on September 11, 2025, in the Southern District of Florida, following Akhimie’s guilty plea to conspiracy-related charges. According to U.S. court documents, Akhimie and his co-conspirators mailed personalized letters to American victims, posing as Spanish bank officials. These fraudulent letters claimed the recipients were heirs to multimillion-dollar estates from deceased relatives overseas. Victims were instructed to pay fake fees including “delivery charges,” taxes, and government-related costs—before receiving the supposed inheritance.
“Victims who sent money never received any purported inheritance funds,” said the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
To move the funds discreetly, the scammers used former victims—now turned intermediaries—based in the United States. These individuals, many unaware of the full scope of the operation, helped transfer the stolen funds to Akhimie and his associates abroad.
“Schemes like this steal not only money but dignity from our seniors,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Quiñones. “Our office will relentlessly pursue those who prey on them.”
The successful prosecution of Akhimie was the result of global cooperation involving the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and agencies from the UK, Spain, and Portugal.
“This case is a testament to the power of international collaboration,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate, praising the efforts of Europol, the UK’s National Crime Agency, and Crown Prosecution Service.
“Defrauding the elderly is not just criminal—it’s inhumane,” added Ray Rede, Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Arizona.
Akhimie is the eighth defendant sentenced in the complex fraud case. In April 2025, another Nigerian, Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, was sentenced to the same 97 months after being extradited from Portugal. Other members of the syndicate received varying jail terms in earlier rulings by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams.
