Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment Tuesday charging U.S.-based Nigerian national Samson Omoniyi, 43, and eight others in a sophisticated money laundering operation that allegedly processed millions in fraudulent proceeds since 2016.
The Department of Justice announced that Omoniyi, of Houston, was arrested alongside accomplices in a coordinated operation across three jurisdictions. The defendants are charged with conspiracy to engage in money laundering, particularly funds obtained through business email compromise schemes and internet fraud targeting U.S. and international victims.
According to court documents, the organization operated across Tennessee, Texas, and other states, using recruiters or “herders” to direct “money mules” in laundering more than $20 million in fraudulent proceeds. Prosecutors allege the group established sham companies to conceal illegal gains and enrich conspiracy members.
The other defendants include Misha L. Cooper, 50, and Robert A. Cooper, 66, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Carlesha L. Perry, 36, Lauren O. Guidry, 32, and Caira Y. Osby, 44, of Houston; Whitney D. Bardley, 30, of Florissant, Missouri; and Dazai S. Harris, 34, and Edward D. Peebles, 35, of Murfreesboro.
Each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, though final sentences will consider U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The Justice Department emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The case follows recent convictions of two other Nigerian nationals, Anthony Ibekie and Samuel Aniukwu, who received combined 30-year sentences for defrauding U.S. victims of $3.5 million through inheritance and romance scams.
Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment Tuesday charging U.S.-based Nigerian national Samson Omoniyi, 43, and eight others in a sophisticated money laundering operation that allegedly processed millions in fraudulent proceeds since 2016.
The Department of Justice announced that Omoniyi, of Houston, was arrested alongside accomplices in a coordinated operation across three jurisdictions. The defendants are charged with conspiracy to engage in money laundering, particularly funds obtained through business email compromise schemes and internet fraud targeting U.S. and international victims.
According to court documents, the organization operated across Tennessee, Texas, and other states, using recruiters or “herders” to direct “money mules” in laundering more than $20 million in fraudulent proceeds. Prosecutors allege the group established sham companies to conceal illegal gains and enrich conspiracy members.
The other defendants include Misha L. Cooper, 50, and Robert A. Cooper, 66, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Carlesha L. Perry, 36, Lauren O. Guidry, 32, and Caira Y. Osby, 44, of Houston; Whitney D. Bardley, 30, of Florissant, Missouri; and Dazai S. Harris, 34, and Edward D. Peebles, 35, of Murfreesboro.
Each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, though final sentences will consider U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The Justice Department emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The case follows recent convictions of two other Nigerian nationals, Anthony Ibekie and Samuel Aniukwu, who received combined 30-year sentences for defrauding U.S. victims of $3.5 million through inheritance and romance scams.
