A federal grand jury in Columbia has returned a 12-count indictment against 12 individuals accused of conspiracy, wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering. The indictment claims the defendants were involved in a business email compromise scheme that defrauded victims nationwide out of millions of dollars.
The individuals charged are Demani Jawara Bosket from Saluda; Nkem Ajoku from Pflugerville, Texas; Walter Clayron Ruff Jr. from Gaston; Tanya Lawshawn Bosket from Saluda; Jahbir Rolando Fowle and Anthony Jerome Savage from Charlotte, North Carolina; Micheal Raymond Bevans-Silva from Savannah, Georgia; Carlise Raymion Roland, Daniel Alexander Edwards, Danny Heard II, Raymone Tyshay Scott Sr., and Jamian Joshaun Butler all from Jacksonville, Florida.
According to the indictment, the defendants allegedly used "spoofed" emails to deceive companies and individuals by impersonating legitimate business or banking institutions. They accessed victims' computer systems to monitor financial transactions and bank transfers. The information was then used to identify contacts and initiate unauthorized payments or transfers to accounts controlled by the defendants. The stolen funds were intermingled between their accounts before some were sent overseas.
Victims reportedly included construction companies, private equity firms, title companies, and law firms across South Carolina, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Japan.
If convicted on all charges, each defendant faces up to 30 years in prison along with fines up to $1 million. Arraignment is scheduled for February 4th before Judge Paige J. Gossett.
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lothrop Morris and T. DeWayne Pearson are handling prosecution duties.
It is important to note that these charges are accusations at this stage; the defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
