An arrest warrant has been issued for Leslie Kibula Bongajum, a Cameroonian citizen, as part of an investigation into a complex money laundering and elder fraud conspiracy. The warrant was issued on April 14 by a federal judge following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in coordination with the FBI’s Honolulu Field Office, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Bongajum, 34, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and could face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted. He is the fourth Cameroonian national implicated in this transnational criminal organization that orchestrated various elder fraud scams and laundered stolen funds.
Three other Cameroonian nationals—Sylas Nyuydzene Verdzekov, 38; Lovert Che, 44; and Mustapha Nkachiwouo Selly Yamie, 29—were arrested in Southern California on February 27. They are also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. At the time of their arrest, Bongajum was identified as a person of interest.
The criminal complaint outlines how from at least November 2021 onward, Bongajum and his co-conspirators used fake identification documents to create shell companies in California for fraudulent activities. They opened numerous bank accounts and private mailboxes using these fake identities.
One scheme involved targeting elderly victims through phone calls and email pop-ups where the defendants posed as law enforcement or company employees to gain trust. Victims were convinced their bank accounts were compromised and were instructed to transfer money into accounts controlled by the defendants.
In another scam, they impersonated real estate owners selling property using fake credentials to deceive victims into wiring money or sending checks to accounts under their control.
Authorities estimate that Bongajum and his co-conspirators laundered at least $10 million from over 100 victims. It is believed that Bongajum fled to Canada after authorities gathered evidence against him. He allegedly falsified information on his asylum application in the United States.
Four other Cameroonian nationals associated with this organization have been arrested for immigration violations. If convicted, all defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison.
Indictments contain allegations that a defendant has committed a crime; every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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