Financial Crime World

Three Defendants Sentenced in Connection with Million-Dollar Advance Fee Scheme in Northern Mariana Islands

The Federal Court in Guam handed down prison terms for three individuals involved in a complex advance fee and money laundering scheme that defrauded 60 Guam-based investors of approximately $2.6 million.

Sentencing of the Defendants

On August 15 and August 17, 2023, the following defendants appeared before U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour for sentencing:

  1. Sally Cruz Roberto
  2. Monique Jones
  3. Mekayda D. Jones

Sally Cruz Roberto

  • Age: 56
  • Residence: Santa Rita, Guam
  • Sentence: 33 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release
  • Restitution: $1,030,990
  • Mandatory assessment fee: $3,900
  • Forfeiture money judgment: $1,030,990
  • Guilt: Found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 38 counts of wire fraud after a jury trial

Monique Jones (alias “Monique Le’Jone”)

  • Age: 49
  • Residence: Dallas, Texas
  • Sentence: 48 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release
  • Restitution: $578,130
  • Mandatory assessment fee: $2,700
  • Forfeiture money judgment: $1,111,280
  • Guilt: Found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 25 counts of wire fraud, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments before the sentencing

Mekayda D. Jones

  • Age: 24
  • Residence: Dallas, Texas
  • Sentence: 36 months in prison, followed by three years of superved release
  • Restitution: $387,160
  • Mandatory assessment fee: $1,600.00
  • Forfeiture money judgment: $801,210
  • Guilt: Found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 14 counts of wire fraud, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments according to the jury’s verdict on August 15, 2023

Another Defendant

  1. Okechukwu F. Iwuji
  • Age: 38
  • Nationality: Nigerian
  • Previous residence: Orlando, Florida
  • Sentence: 45 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release
  • Restitution: $475,710
  • Mandatory assessment fee: $100
  • Forfeiture money judgment: $475,710
  • Guilt: Pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in June 2023

Each defendant played a crucial role in the intricate conspiracy that deceived Guam-based investors into paying sham fees and expenses prior to receiving any promised funds.

Sally Cruz Roberto’s Role

Sally Cruz Roberto, the mastermind of the scheme, received over $1 million in victim funds, which she then wired to other co-conspirators.

Monique and Mekayda Jones’s Roles

Monique and Mekayda Jones created bank accounts under shell corporation guises to launder victim funds via interstate and transnational transfers, retaining at least 10% of the money flowing through their accounts as commission.

Impact and Prosecution

The case was investigated under the leadership of the FBI Guam Resident Agency, in collaboration with the FBI Dallas and Atlanta field offices, 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, First Assistant United States Attorney and Criminal Chief in the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Shawn N. Anderson, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, emphasized that “This far-ranging conspiracy preyed on 60 victims, nearly all of whom live in Guam.” He urged the public, “These scams are difficult to investigate and prosecute due to the interstate and transnational nature of the criminal activity. Our success in this matter is the result of a team effort across multiple jurisdictions.”

Steven Merrill, FBI Special Agent in Charge, urged the public, “This sentence should make the public aware that these types of advanced fee inheritance scams will be investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” Encouraging potential victims to report any suspected fraudulent activity, he advised, “Contact the FBI at (800) CAL-FBI or through tips.fbi.gov.”