Three Nigerian scammers have been sentenced to a combined 235 years in prison by a Mississippi court in the United States.
Oladimeji Seun Ayelotan, 30, received a 95-year sentence, Rasaq Aderoju Raheem, 31, was sentenced to 115 years, and Femi Alexander Mewase, 45, got 25 years behind bars.
The trio was found guilty of various crimes, including mail fraud, wire fraud, identity theft, credit card fraud, and theft of government property.
Ayelotan and Raheem were also convicted of conspiracies to commit bank fraud and money laundering.
According to the Department of Justice, the scammers engaged in multiple internet fraud schemes since 2001, resulting in losses of tens of millions of dollars.
They would befriend women on dating sites, establish romantic relationships, and then convince them to participate in fraudulent schemes, often without their knowledge.
The unsuspecting victims would cash counterfeit checks and money orders, use stolen credit card details to purchase goods, and use stolen personal information to take over victims’ bank accounts.
The scammers also laundered money through Western Union and MoneyGram and re-packaged and re-shipped goods obtained fraudulently.
This case is part of a larger investigation that has already led to the charging of 21 defendants, with 12 pleading guilty to conspiracy charges and 11 sentenced.
The three Nigerians were extradited from South Africa in 2015 to face charges in the United States.