U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans | U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Emmanuel Ugbaja, a 55-year-old resident of Duluth, Georgia, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. The plea was entered on January 7, 2025, before United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion.
According to court records, the case involves two separate internet scams dating back to 2018. One scam targeted a victim in Kansas through a "romance scam," where the victim sent money believing it was for a love interest. The other involved a California-based "inheritance scam," with the victim sending funds under the impression they were dealing with an attorney. In both cases, victims transferred money to a bank account managed by Ugbaja. He kept part of the funds and forwarded $60,000 to a maritime broker as partial payment for an unrelated vessel.
Ugbaja's sentencing is scheduled for April 8, 2025. He faces up to five years in prison and could be subjected to three years of supervised release upon his release from incarceration. Additionally, he may be fined up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss associated with his crime. A mandatory special assessment fee of $100 will also be imposed.
This indictment is part of a broader initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at tackling online fraud schemes that frequently originate overseas and target American citizens. The public is encouraged to report any suspected online fraud activities or scams to the Federal Bureau of Investigation via their website at https://www.ic3.gov/.
The United States Attorney’s Office acknowledged the assistance provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera from the Financial Crimes Unit is prosecuting this case.
