Adanegbe Gift Osenmwenkhae, known as Gift, has pleaded guilty in Baltimore to leading a significant money laundering conspiracy. Gift, 39, from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, managed a network that laundered over $20 million acquired from fraudulent activities.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland announced the plea. The case involved collaborations with authorities including Homeland Security Investigations, the IRS-CI Washington, D.C. Field Office, and other federal agencies.
From 2021 until February 2024, Gift, along with co-conspirators including Yahya Sowe (alias "Cash"), Gedeon Agbeyome, and others, participated in laundering proceeds from wire fraud schemes. Their operations involved hiding the origins and control of the fraudulently obtained funds.
Gift's leadership in the conspiracy saw her use encrypted communications to manage operations, directing co-conspirators to establish shell companies and bank accounts to receive and disburse the funds. The money laundering activities affected various entities like government agencies, educational institutions, and private companies.
Gift is facing up to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for June 30, 2025, at 10 a.m. by U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the investigative efforts of involved agencies and acknowledged the assistance provided by law enforcement departments across several counties. Prosecutors for the case include Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Gruber, Bijon A. Mostoufi, and Jared M. Beim.
For further information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, visit their official website.
