Charles Nnamdi Emesim, a 53-year-old Nigerian, was sentenced to 115 months in prison in Kentucky, USA, for laundering money from various scams, including romance and inheritance scams that targeted at least 23 people.

Emesim, legally residing in Newark, New Jersey, was sentenced on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier for conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The United States Department of Justice made this announcement in a press release issued on Thursday, May 14.

According to the statement, the defendant engaged for a decade in a scheme to receive and launder the proceeds of various scams committed via the Internet and telephone, including romance scams, government impersonation scams, lottery scams, investment scams, inheritance scams, and medical expense scams.

Between December 9, 2013 and at least June 28, 2024, Emesim opened and managed at least 17 bank accounts in his own name or in the name of his companies, Chadon Export or Chadon Trucking.

During this period, at least 23 people located in the United States were defrauded and sent a total of over $700,000 to Emesim by sending him cash or bank checks to his addresses, making money wire transfers, or transferring funds to his bank accounts.

An elderly widow living in the eastern district of Kentucky was the victim of a romance scam, believing she was in a romantic relationship with an individual named "Michael Oliver," who wanted to transfer his fortune to her.

To achieve this goal, "Oliver" put the victim in contact with a "customs agent" to facilitate the receipt of the money.

The victim most often communicated with "customs agent Samuel Rock" via WhatsApp.

The victim went to Lexington Airport in Kentucky to meet "Customs Agent Rock" in person, and during this meeting, she gave him additional money, drove him to a local store, and bought him a tablet.

The court concluded that Emesim was the person who had impersonated "Customs Agent Rock" during his meeting with the victim in person.

This victim lost tens of thousands of dollars to this scam, sending cash, bank checks, and prepaid debit or gift cards to Emesim and his accomplices.

Emesim often withdrew funds from victims in cash, transferred the money to accounts in the name of relatives or companies, or transferred the funds to his own bank accounts or to bank accounts belonging to family members located in Nigeria.

“Romance scams and financial frauds are heinous crimes because they target their victims through deception, emotional manipulation, and calculated exploitation,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This defendant spent years helping to launder money stolen from hardworking Americans, including an elderly person in eastern Kentucky who was manipulated into believing she was building a genuine relationship. These criminals do not see their victims as people, but as targets. The Eastern District of Kentucky, in cooperation with the FBI, will continue to pursue and prosecute with the utmost rigor those who abuse trust, destroy families, and profit from fraud.”

"For more than 10 years, Mr. Emesim took advantage of the trust of men and women, stealing their hard-earned money to enrich himself personally," said Olivia Olson, special agent in charge of the FBI's Louisville office.

“Today’s conviction is a powerful reminder that the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to prosecuting criminals who commit financial fraud at the expense of innocent Americans, and that we will dedicate all available resources to seeking justice for the victims and their families.”

At the sentencing hearing, the court described Emesim's conduct as inhumane and unquestionably reprehensible, explaining that it had caused terrible financial damage and incredible emotional and psychological suffering to the victims.

The Court urged all those in this country who have ears to hear to know that those responsible will be held accountable, and that those found guilty of these international schemes facilitated by the Internet will face a punishment far worse than the potential profit.

Under federal law, Emesim will have to serve 85% of his prison sentence. Upon his release, he will be placed under the supervision of the United States Bureau of Probation for three years.

Jason Parman, first assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Olivia Olson, special agent in charge of the FBI's Louisville office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Kate Dieruf, Assistant U.S. Attorney, is representing the prosecution in this case.