Three Nigerian nationals have been charged in the United States for their alleged roles in an online romance and wire fraud conspiracy that targeted individuals in Rhode Island and other jurisdictions.
William Elvis, 35, Moses Kolawole Hezekiah, 34, and Destiny Okobeni Oghentega, 30, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in federal court in Rhode Island, according to a statement released by U.S. authorities.
Court documents state that beginning around early 2021, Elvis, Hezekiah, Oghentega and others engaged in a scheme to defraud victims through online impersonation and romance‑based scams.
The defendants allegedly contacted targets—among them an elderly Rhode Island resident—posing as professionals working overseas, gradually building fake romantic relationships over time.
The conspirators then repeatedly requested money from victims under false pretenses, including claims of financial hardship, legal problems, or medical emergencies.
Victims were directed to send funds through gift cards, Bitcoin transactions, and other methods, with some transfers routed to accounts controlled by participants in the scheme.
U.S. investigators say victims sent substantial sums of money during the course of the fraud. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) traced misappropriated identities and associated communications and financial activity back to the defendants in Nigeria.
The U.S. Department of Justice emphasised that the federal criminal indictment is only an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.
