Charles Nnamdi Emesim, a Nigerian man legally resident in Newark, New Jersey, has been sentenced to 115 months in prison in the United States for his role in a large-scale money laundering conspiracy linked to romance and internet fraud schemes.
The sentence was handed down on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier, according to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday.
Emesim, 53, was convicted for conspiracy to commit money laundering after investigators found that he received and processed proceeds from several internet- and telephone-based scams. Authorities said the fraudulent schemes included romance scams, lottery scams, inheritance scams, investment scams, government imposter scams, and medical expense scams.
According to the Justice Department, Emesim operated at least 17 bank accounts between December 9, 2013, and June 28, 2024. The accounts were reportedly opened under his name and the names of his companies, Chadon Export and Chadon Trucking.
Investigators said at least 23 victims across the United States were deceived into sending more than $700,000 through cash deposits, cashier’s checks, wire transfers, money transfers, prepaid debit cards, and gift cards into accounts controlled by Emesim.
One of the victims was described as a senior citizen and widow living in the Eastern District of Kentucky. Authorities said she was manipulated through a romance scam involving a man identified as “Michael Oliver.”
The victim allegedly believed she was in a genuine romantic relationship and was later introduced to a supposed customs agent named Samuel Rock to assist with a fake wealth transfer process.
According to the Justice Department, the victim travelled to Lexington airport in Kentucky, where she met the supposed customs agent in person. She reportedly handed him additional cash, drove him to a local store, and purchased a computer tablet for him.
“The Court found that Emesim was the individual who impersonated ‘Customs Agent Rock’ when meeting with this victim in person,” the statement said.
Authorities said the woman lost tens of thousands of dollars during the scheme.
The Justice Department also stated that Emesim regularly withdrew victims’ funds in cash or transferred the money into accounts belonging to relatives, businesses, and family members in Nigeria.
Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, described romance scams and financial fraud schemes as “predatory crimes” driven by deception and emotional manipulation.
He said Emesim spent years helping criminals move stolen money from victims, including elderly individuals who believed they were building real relationships.
“These criminals do not see victims as people—they see them as targets,” Parman said.
Also speaking on the case, FBI Louisville Field Office Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson said Emesim preyed on trusting men and women for more than a decade.
She added that the sentencing reflects the commitment of law enforcement agencies to pursue fraudsters who exploit innocent people for financial gain.
During the sentencing hearing, the court described Emesim’s conduct as “heartless and unquestionably reprehensible,” noting that the crimes caused severe emotional, psychological, and financial harm to victims.
Under U.S. federal law, Emesim must serve at least 85 per cent of his prison sentence. He will also remain under supervised release for three years after completing his prison term.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Dieruf prosecuted the matter.
