Financial Crime World

Title: Thirty-Six Individuals Sentenced for Multi-Million Dollar Money Laundering and Fraud Scheme

Atlanta: A Four-Year Investigation and Prosecution of a Complex Conspiracy

Over thirty-six individuals have been sentenced for their roles in a large-scale money laundering and fraud scheme that targeted individuals, corporations, and financial institutions throughout the United States [1]. The conspirators used various methods, including Business Email Compromise schemes, romance fraud scams, and retirement account scams, to steal over $30 million from innocent victims.

Quote “The Department of Justice has worked tirelessly for over four years to secure justice for the numerous victims impacted by this criminal organization.” — U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan

Identification and Prosecution: A Collaborative Effort by Multiple Agencies

Several members of the conspiracy were identified by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (OIG) for fraudulently acquiring funds [2] from Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)-covered employee benefit plans. These funds, originating from unsuspecting individuals’ retirement accounts, were deposited into personal and business bank accounts as part of a money-laundering conspiracy.

  • U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (OIG): Special Agent-in-Charge Mathew Broadhurst expressed concern over the impact of these schemes and pledged continued collaboration with law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of employee benefit plans.
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Keri Fairly highlighted the potential devastating consequences of these types of frauds on both individuals and businesses.
  • U.S. Secret Service (USSS): The USSS Atlanta Field Office Special Agent in Charge Steven R. Baisel reiterated the commitment to protect the nation’s financial systems.
  • Homeland Security Investigations (HSI): Acting Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard declared the agency’s resolve to take aggressive action against those who jeopardize the integrity of the financial infrastructure.

The FBI, USSS, and HSI, in collaboration with various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, investigated and prosecuted the case under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly K. Connors and Russell Phillips handled the prosecution.

The Sentencings: A Reminder of the Serious Consequences of Financial Crimes

Joshua Roberts, also known as “Onyx”, was sentenced to eight years and one month in custody and ordered to pay $9,675,739.73 in restitution to victims. Darius Sowah Okang, known by various aliases, received a sentence of seven years and ten months in custody and $6,204,119 in restitution. George Kodjo Edem Adatsi was sentenced to five years and ten months in custody and $3,373,797.43 in restitution [3].

Sentences for the remaining defendants ranged from three to five years in custody, with varying periods of supervised release and restitution orders.

This significant sentencing underscores the severity of financial crimes and the commitment of law enforcement agencies to hold those accountable for such actions. As U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan stated, “We will continue to work with our partners to identify and prosecute those who engage in fraud and money laundering schemes that harm our communities.”

[1] Title: GA Men and Women Sentenced for Roles in Multi-Million Dollar Money Laundering and Fraud Scheme [2] ERISA: Employee Retirement Income Security Act [3] Some of the defendants and their sentences are detailed in the article. For a more comprehensive list, please refer to the original article.