Nigerian man sentenced to 115 months in U.S. prison for $700,000 fraud scheme

By Adegboyega Adeleye

A United States court has sentenced Charles Nnamdi Emesim, a 53‑year‑old Nigerian who lived in Newark, New Jersey, to 115 months in prison for a decade‑long money‑laundering scheme that generated more than $700,000 through a variety of online frauds.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky reported that Judge Robert Wier imposed the sentence for conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Investigators say Emesim ran a sophisticated fraud network from December 2013 to June 2024, funneling proceeds from romance scams, government impersonation schemes, lottery fraud, investment fraud, inheritance scams and medical expense scams.

During the investigation, authorities discovered that Emesim opened and operated at least 17 bank accounts in his own name and in the names of his businesses, Chadon Export and Chadon Trucking, to move the illicit funds.

The court heard that at least 23 victims across the United States were deceived into sending more than $700,000 via cash deposits, cashier’s cheques, money transfers and wire transactions linked to Emesim.

One victim, an elderly widow from Kentucky, was lured by a romance scam after believing she was in a relationship with a man named “Michael Oliver,” who claimed he wanted to transfer his wealth to her.

She was later introduced to a supposed customs agent called “Samuel Rock,” whom prosecutors say was an impersonation by Emesim.

According to court documents, the widow met the suspect in person at an airport in Lexington, Kentucky, where she handed him additional money and even purchased a computer tablet for him.

She ultimately lost tens of thousands of dollars after making payments to Emesim and his associates using cash, cashier’s cheques, prepaid debit cards and gift cards.

Prosecutors also revealed that Emesim frequently withdrew victims’ funds in cash before transferring portions to relatives, businesses and bank accounts in Nigeria.

First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Jason Parman, described the crimes as predatory and emotionally devastating, noting that the defendant had spent years funneling stolen money from hardworking Americans.

“This defendant spent years helping funnel stolen money from hardworking Americans, including an elderly victim in Eastern Kentucky who was manipulated into believing she was building a genuine relationship,” Parman said.

FBI Louisville Field Office Special Agent in Charge, Olivia Olson, added that the sentence serves as a strong warning to fraudsters who exploit vulnerable victims.

“For more than a decade, Mr. Emesim preyed upon trusting men and women, stealing their hard‑earned money to line his own pockets,” Olson stated.

During sentencing, the court described Emesim’s conduct as “heartless” and “reprehensible,” citing the severe financial, emotional and psychological impact on the victims.

Under U.S. federal law, Emesim is required to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before being released, and he will remain on supervised probation for three years after completing his prison term.

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