Nigeria: Three US-based Nigerians face 60-year jail term for money laundering
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
Three Nigerian nationals based in the United States, Olumide Olorunfunmi, Samson Amos, and Emmanuel Unuigbe, are facing a combined jail term of 60 years for allegedly laundering $4.5 million. According to a statement by the US Department of Justice, the trio conspired to launder money that caused losses to approximately 125 victims in the US.
The statement revealed that the laundered money was proceeds from romance scams and business email compromise schemes. While Amos and Unuigbe pleaded guilty in 2025 Olorunfunmi admitted guilt during his arraignment before a federal court on Friday.
According to the court documents, the scheme involved directing victims to deposit money into accounts controlled by Amos and his co-conspirators. The defendants would then transfer the money to accounts in Nigeria, keeping a percentage of the deposited funds.
The schemes, which took place between 2024 and 2025, targeted elderly victims through romance scams and businesses through email compromise schemes. The defendants used domestic and international bank accounts to launder the money, transferring funds to other accounts in the US and overseas.
The US Department of Justice stated that each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the offense of conspiracy. A sentencing date has not been set.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts of US authorities to combat money laundering and other financial crimes. The US Department of Justice has been working to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations involved in these types of schemes.
The Nigerian government has also been working to address the issue of money laundering and other financial crimes. The country has implemented various measures to strengthen its anti-money laundering regulations and improve cooperation with international authorities.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in preventing financial crimes. It also highlights the need for continued cooperation between law enforcement agencies and financial institutions to combat money laundering and other financial crimes.
