A 53-year-old Nigerian man, Charles Nnamdi Emesim, has been sentenced to 115 months in prison in the United States after being convicted for laundering money linked to multiple fraud schemes, including romance and inheritance scams that targeted victims across the country.
Emesim, who was legally residing in Newark, New Jersey, was sentenced on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier in Kentucky for conspiracy to commit money laundering. The sentence was announced by the United States Department of Justice in a statement released on Thursday, May 14.
According to prosecutors, Emesim participated in a decade-long operation involving internet- and telephone-based fraud schemes that included romance scams, government imposter scams, lottery scams, investment scams, inheritance scams, and medical expense scams.
Investigators said that between December 9, 2013, and at least June 28, 2024, Emesim opened and operated no fewer than 17 bank accounts either in his own name or through companies identified as Chadon Export and Chadon Trucking.
During that period, at least 23 victims from different parts of the United States were deceived into sending more than $700,000 through mailed cash, cashier’s checks, money transfers, and wired deposits into accounts controlled by Emesim.
One of the victims, identified as a senior citizen and widow living in the Eastern District of Kentucky, was drawn into a romance scam after believing she was in a relationship with a man using the name “Michael Oliver,” who claimed he wanted to transfer his wealth to her.
To make the story believable, the victim was introduced to someone posing as a customs agent who would supposedly help facilitate the transfer of the funds. The individual identified himself as “Customs Agent Samuel Rock” and communicated frequently with the victim through WhatsApp.
The victim later travelled to the airport in Lexington, Kentucky, to meet “Customs Agent Rock” in person. During the meeting, she handed over additional money, drove him to a local store, and purchased a computer tablet for him.
The court found that Emesim was the person impersonating “Customs Agent Rock” during that meeting. Authorities said the victim lost tens of thousands of dollars after sending cash, cashier’s checks, prepaid debit cards, and gift cards to Emesim and his associates.
Prosecutors said Emesim regularly withdrew victims’ funds in cash and moved money through accounts linked to relatives, businesses, and bank accounts in Nigeria belonging either to himself or members of his family.
Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, described romance and financial scams as predatory crimes built on deception and emotional manipulation. He said Emesim spent years helping move stolen funds from victims, including elderly individuals who believed they were involved in genuine relationships.
Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Louisville Field Office, said Emesim preyed on trusting victims for more than a decade and used fraudulent schemes to steal their hard-earned money. She added that the FBI and its law enforcement partners remain committed to pursuing criminals involved in financial fraud.
During sentencing, the court described Emesim’s actions as heartless and reprehensible, stating that the crimes caused severe financial losses as well as deep emotional and psychological harm to victims.
The court also warned that individuals involved in international internet-enabled fraud schemes would continue to face serious consequences that far outweigh any financial gains from such crimes.
Under federal law, Emesim is required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison term. After completing his sentence, he will remain under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
The investigation was carried out by the FBI, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Dieruf prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States government.
