Crime

Nigerian man gets eight years jail for $6m inheritance scam in US

Published

8 months ago

February 7, 2026

A United States court has sentenced a Nigerian national, Tochukwu Albert Nnebocha, to 97 months’ imprisonment for participating in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that targeted elderly and vulnerable Americans.

According to a statement published on the US Department of Justice website on Friday, “a Nigerian National was sentenced today to more than eight years in prison for participating in a years-long conspiracy to defraud elderly and vulnerable Americans through an inheritance fraud scheme.”

The DOJ stated that Nnebocha, who is 44 years old, and his co-conspirators “operated a lucrative transnational inheritance fraud scheme that exploited vulnerable people in the United States” over a period exceeding seven years.

The statement read, “According to court documents, Tochukwu Albert Nnebocha, 44, of Nigeria, and his co-conspirators operated a lucrative transnational inheritance fraud scheme that exploited vulnerable people in the United States.

“Over the course of more than seven years, Nnebocha and his co-conspirators sent hundreds of thousands of personalized letters to elderly individuals in the United States, falsely claiming that the sender was a representative of a bank in Spain and that the recipient was entitled to receive a multimillion-dollar inheritance left by a deceased family member.”

According to the US DOJ, victims were subsequently instructed to pay various fees before accessing the fictitious inheritance.

“The conspirators then told the victims that, before they could receive their purported inheritance, they were required to send money for purported delivery fees, taxes, and payments regarding the inheritance. In total, the defendant and his co-conspirators defrauded over 400 U.S. victims of more than $6 million,” the statement read,

The DOJ added that “in total, the defendant and his co-conspirators defrauded over 400 U.S. victims of more than $6 million.”

The statement disclosed that Nnebocha was arrested in Poland in April 2025 and extradited to the United States in September 2025.

He later pleaded guilty in November 2025 to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud.

At sentencing, the court ordered 97 months’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release and restitution exceeding $6.8m to victims.

The department noted that “this is the second indicted case related to this international fraud scheme,” adding that eight co-conspirators from the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal and Nigeria had previously been convicted and sentenced.

The case was investigated by the US Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Legal Attache in Poland, INTERPOL, Polish authorities, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, and the DOJ’s Office of International Affairs.

Senior Trial Attorney Phil Toomajian and Trial Attorney Joshua D. Rothman of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case, according to the statement.

Post Views: 417

Crime

Ogun police nab 11, recover 25 debit cards

Published

3 hours ago

September 28, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 11 suspects and recovered 25 Automated Teller Machine cards, three firearms and two suspected stolen vehicles during an 11-day security operation across the state.

The command said the ATM cards were recovered from a 45-year-old man, Ameachine Anthony, who was arrested in Igbesa over an alleged N2.5m fraud.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the arrests and recoveries were recorded between September 16 and 26, 2026.

According to him, the operations involved personnel from various police divisions and the Special Weapons and Tactics unit of the command.

Babaseyi said the police investigation into Anthony’s activities revealed an alleged scheme involving the use of utility bills and newly acquired SIM cards through associates to facilitate the opening of bank accounts.

He alleged that the ATM cards were subsequently collected for fraudulent transactions.

Several mobile phones were also recovered from the suspect, who, alongside the exhibits, was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

In another operation, SWAT Base 7, Abule-Iroko, arrested three suspects after intercepting an unregistered tricycle and a TVS motorcycle around Dalemo, Ota, on September 21.

The suspects were identified as Olamide Ayandele, 30; Tope Samuel, 40; and Ayo Peter Ojo, 30.

The command said preliminary investigation linked them to alleged vehicle theft around the Ijoko axis.

Also, SWAT operatives arrested a suspected cult member, Peter Olanrewaju, 34, on September 22, following information about a suspected cult gathering.

Babaseyi said further investigation led to the arrest of another suspect, Adebayo Sodiq, 36, while one pump-action rifle and two locally made pistols were recovered.

He said investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the possession of the firearms and identify other persons allegedly connected with the case.

Similarly, detectives attached to the Owode Egba Division recovered a stolen commercial TVS motorcycle at Mokoloki Village on September 17, following a complaint lodged the previous day.

Two suspects, Rasheed Abdul and Saula Meshinoye, were arrested in connection with the alleged theft, while their alleged accomplice, Saheed, remained at large.

In the Olorunda area, two suspects, Mutiu Gafar, 19, and Fatai Obasanmi, 37, were arrested after three people were allegedly intercepted conveying stolen electrical materials on a motorcycle along Ayetoro Road on September 19.

The police recovered bundles of electrical wiring, a change-over electrical box and a circuit breaker box, while another suspect, identified as Tosin, reportedly escaped.

The command also recovered a Safira vehicle allegedly taken from its owner and arrested a suspect, Olatunji Olalekan.

Babaseyi said the vehicle was recovered by detectives attached to the Ijebu-Ode Area Crime Office following discreet investigation, intelligence gathering and tracking.

Meanwhile, personnel of the Sagamu Area Command and adjoining divisions impounded eight vehicles during a “No Parking” enforcement operation around the Sagamu Interchange Bridge on September 26.

The police said the vehicles were impounded for allegedly obstructing the highway, adding that the exercise was aimed at facilitating free traffic flow and improving safety for road users.

The affected vehicles, according to the command, would be processed for prosecution on September 28.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bode Ojajuni, commended the officers for their vigilance and professionalism and appreciated members of the public for their cooperation.

Ojajuni urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the police, reaffirming the command’s commitment to proactive policing across the state.

The command urged residents requiring police assistance or wishing to report security concerns to use the Gateway Shield toll-free line, 0800 000 9111, or the emergency numbers 09164859299 and 09154293464.

Source: punchng.com

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 29

Crime

PHOTOS: Alleged 184.5kg cocaine bust: NDLEA arraigns KC Luxury, 2 accomplices, remanded in custody

Published

2 days ago

September 26, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) today arraigned Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, and two other accomplices, Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch, before Hon. Justice Ayokunle Olayinka Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a 22-count charge bordering on cocaine trafficking, illegal export of narcotics, and money laundering.

The defendants, who were accused of conspiring between 28th July and 1st August 2026 to export 184.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in five consignments through a Lagos-based courier logistics firm to London, United Kingdom, pleaded not guilty to all counts when the charges were read to them.

A statement from Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, says count one of the charge sheet, marked FHC/LAG/CR/755/2026, accuses Afolabi, alongside Boniface and Ikechukwu, of conspiring with Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat Yusuf, already arrested in London in connection with the same case, to export the narcotic drug using consignments bearing Airway Bill Numbers 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742 and 2211893902, under the shipper’s name Yemi Ejide.

Other counts detail how Boniface procured Ikechukwu to facilitate the export while Afolabi is accused of procuring a staff member of BOT Express Logistics on Lagos Island to process the illicit consignment, and of unlawfully possessing the cocaine ahead of export.

After the not-guilty plea was entered and their bail application argued, the NDLEA prosecutor Abu Ibrahim who opposed the bail application, prayed the court to remand the defendants in a correctional facility pending trial, citing the gravity of the offences. Justice Faji thereafter ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Agency’s facility, and adjourned the matter till 4th October 2026 for ruling on the application.

Afolabi, (a.k.a. KayCee Luxury, KayCee Lux, KC, Mr. Luxury, Yemi Ejide) who paraded himself online as a luxury goods dealer and lifestyle influencer, was arrested by NDLEA operatives on the night of 13th August 2026 as he attempted to flee Nigeria on a business-class flight to Paris from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, following the interception of the 184.5kg cocaine consignment estimated to be worth about N39 billion. A subsequent search on him and his Banana Island apartment led to the recovery of exotic vehicles, foreign currency and jewellery believed to be proceeds of the illicit trade.

Count one of the charge reads: “That you: 1. Afolabi Kazeem Michael a.k.a. KayCee Luxury, KC, Yemi Ejide, 2. Boniface Freeman Ochoche Sule and 3. Ikechukwu Ekugo Patriarch, Male, Adults, on or about the period between the 28t July 2026 and 1s day of August 2026 conspired with the duo of Atandare Oladipupo Oluwarotimi and Latifat.

Yusuf (both of whom have been arrested in London, the United Kingdom in respect of this case) to export 184.5 Kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug contained in five (5) consignments with Airway Bill Numbers 2079998314, 8224082370, 2079973571, 7181131742, 2211893902 with shipper’s name as ‘Yemi Ejide’ and you thereby committed an act which is an offence against and punishable under section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 36

Crime

PHOTOS: Police arrest suspected child trafficker, rescue two-month-old baby in Niger State

Published

2 days ago

September 26, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 35 Battalion deployed at FOB Faskari have arrested three suspected terrorists while allegedly transporting N2.7 million ransom and mobile phones intended for onward delivery to a suspected terror kingpin in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State. Africans& Diaspora

The suspects were apprehended at about 11:30 a.m. on September 24, 2026, while riding on a motorcycle within the Faskari area.

Military sources identified them as Habibu Hamza, 35; Inusa Alhaji Iliya, 15; and Umar Alhaji Isihu, 16.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects were allegedly travelling to hand over the ransom money and mobile phones to individuals identified as Alhaji Gadani, said to be a younger brother of the late Ado Aleru, and another individual identified as Zailani Shu’ibu.

According to the preliminary account, Gadani is based in Yankuzo village, while Shu’ibu was said to be located around Unguwan Tsamiya, both in Faskari LGA.

The items allegedly being conveyed comprised N2.7 million in ransom, one Android phone and two small Tecno mobile phones.

The military said the items were intended for onward transmission to a suspected terror kingpin.

The three suspects and recovered exhibits were subsequently moved to the 17 Brigade Provost Group for further investigation and necessary action.

The arrest highlights the increasingly important role of tracking the financial and logistical networks supporting kidnapping and terrorist activity in parts of Katsina.

Beyond the armed elements operating in forests and rural communities, ransom payments, communications devices, couriers and intermediaries constitute an important support chain that enables criminal groups to sustain their operations.

In a separate operation, troops of CT2 conducted fighting patrols around Unguwan Samanja, Alikere and Ruwan Godiya, including the Danyaro–Unguwan Bako and Ruwan Godiya–Doma road axes, to deny terrorists and kidnappers freedom of movement.

No contact was made with criminal elements during the patrols, which ended without incident.

Troops of FOB Jibia also conducted fighting patrols along the Jibia–Katsina highway and other parts of their area of responsibility, followed by stop-and-search operations aimed at preventing terrorist and criminal activities.

Similarly, troops from CT2 and CT4 conducted fighting patrols along the Wanzamai–Faskari–Yankara–Unguwan Boka–Shemе–Funtua–Giwa axis, with stop-and-search operations conducted during the movement.

The military said the operations were aimed at frustrating the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements operating within the area.

Meanwhile, troops of 35 Battalion conducted perimeter patrols around Natsinta Cantonment General Area, while other patrols continued across the unit’s area of responsibility.

The military described the general security situation in the area as calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remained satisfactory.

The latest arrest is significant because it provides an indication of how ransom payments may move through intermediaries and couriers before reaching criminal commanders.

However, the identities and alleged roles of the arrested persons remain subject to further investigation, and the preliminary interrogation should not be treated as a judicial determination of guilt.