A Nigerian national, Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, has been sentenced to 97 months in prison for his role in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims in the United States. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced the sentencing on September 15, 2025.

The Scheme

Akhimie, 41, was extradited from the United Kingdom to the US and pleaded guilty to defrauding over $6 million from more than 400 victims, many of whom were elderly or vulnerable. The scheme involved sending personalized letters to victims, falsely claiming they were entitled to a multimillion-dollar inheritance. However, to receive the inheritance, victims were told to send money for delivery fees, taxes, and other payments.

International Collaboration

The case highlights the critical role of international collaboration in tackling transnational crime. The investigation involved the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and authorities from the UK, Spain, and Portugal. Europol and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided assistance.

Justice Served

U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding emphasized the importance of protecting seniors from such scams, saying, “Schemes like this steal not only money but dignity from our seniors.” Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate added, “The Justice Department will continue to pursue, prosecute, and bring to justice transnational criminals responsible for defrauding U.S. consumers.”

Sentence

Akhimie is the eighth defendant sentenced to prison in connection with the scheme. Six additional defendants were previously sentenced in a related case, including Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, who received a 97-month sentence for his role in the scheme [1].