A Nigerian national, Newton Ofioritse Jemide, 47, pleaded guilty to a wire fraud conspiracy charge related to a scheme that defrauded the federal government of at least $8 million in emergency benefits. Jemide, who was recently extradited from France, orchestrated the scam with co-conspirators by exploiting federal disaster relief programs, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits, using stolen personal information.
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The scheme primarily involved filing fraudulent claims for FEMA benefits in the aftermath of national disasters, such as Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and the California wildfires in 2017. Jemide and his co-conspirators used stolen identities to apply for Critical Needs Assistance (CNA), which provided $500 per claim on prepaid Green Dot Debit Cards. These cards were purchased by U.S.-based associates and then registered using stolen information by individuals in Nigeria. The fraudulent activities extended to other federal programs, including the SSA’s online services and the IRS.
Federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG), SSA-OIG, and the U.S. Secret Service, participated in the investigation. The perpetrators communicated through encrypted messaging and utilized complex methods to conceal their identities and launder the stolen funds. The investigation highlighted the global reach and collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in combating financial cybercrimes.
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Jemide now faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison, though the actual sentence will be determined by a federal judge considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Sentencing is scheduled for July 1, 2025, before U.S. District Court Judge Deborah K. Chasanow. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland acknowledged the support of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Marshals Service in securing Jemide’s extradition to the United States.
Article by multiple RFHC contributors.
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