Financial Crime World

Title: “Three Defendants Sentenced for Money Laundering and Advance Fee Fraud Scheme in Northern Mariana Islands”

Federal Authorities Announce Sentencing of Defendants Involved in Money Laundering and Advance Fee Fraud Scheme

Federal authorities announced the sentencing of four individuals involved in a money laundering and advance fee fraud scheme based in the Northern Mariana Islands. The defendants, who duped over 60 victims, mostly from Guam, into paying bogus fees and expenses associated with a false multimillion-dollar inheritance, were sentenced in the US District Court of Guam.

Defendants Sentenced for Their Roles in the Criminal Scheme

The following defendants were sentenced for their roles in the criminal scheme:

  • Sally Cruz Roberto
  • Monique Jones
  • Mekayda D. Jones
  • Okechukwu F. Iwuji

Sally Cruz Roberto

  • Sentence: 33 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release
  • Restitution: $1,030,990
  • Assessment Fee: $3,900
  • Forfeiture Money Judgment: $1,030,990

Sally Cruz Roberto, a 56-year-old resident of Santa Rita, Guam, was sentenced to 33 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,030,990 in restitution, a $3,900 assessment fee, and a $1,030,990 forfeiture money judgment. Roberto, who was found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 38 counts of wire fraud in a trial, fraudulently obtained $1,030,990 from victim-investors by inducing them to pay fees before any promised funds could be released. She then wired the funds to co-conspirators’ US bank accounts.

Monique Jones

  • Sentence: 48 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release
  • Restitution: $578,130
  • Assessment Fee: $2,700
  • Forfeiture Money Judgment: $1,111,280

Monique Jones, a 49-year-old woman from Dallas, Texas, was sentenced to 48 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $578,130 in restitution, a $2,700 assessment fee, and a $1,111,280 forfeiture money judgment. Jones, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 25 counts of wire fraud, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, was involved in maintaining bank accounts for shell corporations to receive and transfer victim funds to other co-conspirators in the United States and Nigeria.

Mekayda D. Jones

  • Sentence: 36 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release
  • Restitution: $387,160
  • Assessment Fee: $1,600
  • Forfeiture Money Judgment: $801,210

Mekayda D. Jones, a 24-year-old woman from Dallas, Texas, was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $387,160 in restitution, a $1,600 assessment fee, and a $801,210 forfeiture money judgment. Jones, who also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 14 counts of wire fraud, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, was responsible for maintaining bank accounts and kept at least 10 percent of victim funds that flowed into them.

Okechukwu F. Iwuji

  • Sentence: 45 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release
  • Restitution: $475,710
  • Assessment Fee: $100
  • Forfeiture Money Judgment: $475,710

Okechukwu F. Iwuji, a 38-year-old Nigerian citizen who previously resided in Orlando, Florida, was sentenced to 45 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $475,710 in restitution, a $100 assessment fee, and a $475,710 forfeiture money judgment. Iwuji, who previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, received at least $475,710 of victim funds from Roberto and other co-conspirators and transferred some of the funds to third-party Nigerian bank accounts.

Scam Scheme Netted Defendants Approximately $2.6 Million

The scam scheme netted the defendants approximately $2.6 million from over 60 victims. “This far-reaching conspiracy preyed on nearly 60 victims, almost all of whom live in Guam,” stated Shawn N. Anderson, the U.S. Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. “These scams are difficult to investigate and prosecute due to their interstate and transnational nature. Our success in this matter is the result of a team effort across multiple jurisdictions, with outstanding leadership by prosecutor David.”

Importance of Public Awareness Regarding Inheritance and Advanced Fee Scams

The FBI Special Agent in Charge, Steven Merrill, emphasized the importance of public awareness regarding inheritance and advanced fee scams. “This sentence should make the public aware that these types of scams will be investigated by the FBI and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you believe you have been scammed, please contact the FBI at (800) 225-5324 or report it to tips.fbi.gov.”

Investigation Led by the FBI Guam Resident Agency

The investigation was led by the FBI Guam Resident Agency, with the assistance of FBI field offices in Dallas and Atlanta, Homeland Security Investigations in Orlando, Florida, the U.S. Secret Service in Dallas, and the Guam Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Marivic P. David, the First Assistant U.S. Attorney and Criminal Chief in the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.