A Florida district court has convicted a 36-year-old Nigerian, Okezie Ogbata, for orchestrating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that swindled over $6 million from more than 400 elderly and vulnerable individuals.

The Southern District of Florida found Ogbata guilty last Wednesday, revealing that he masterminded an elaborate scheme alongside co-conspirators to deceive victims with false promises of multimillion-dollar inheritances.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Ogbata and his accomplices sent fraudulent letters claiming to represent a Spanish bank. These letters informed recipients they were entitled to inherit substantial sums left behind by deceased overseas relatives. Victims were then coerced into making payments under the guise of covering delivery fees, taxes, and other charges necessary to release the supposed inheritance.

The Department of Justice noted that the fraudsters strategically targeted the elderly and other vulnerable individuals, exploiting their trust and emotions to extract funds.

In his guilty plea, Ogbata admitted to defrauding victims of more than $6 million. The case underscores the persistent threat of transnational fraud and highlights the devastating impact such schemes have on unsuspecting individuals.

Authorities have vowed to continue cracking down on fraudulent schemes that prey on vulnerable populations, as the case serves as a grim reminder of the need for vigilance against scams promising unearned wealth.