Multiple individuals have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a complex fraud scheme, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. The defendants were convicted of various charges, including wire fraud and money laundering, related to schemes that defrauded victims of at least $17 million.
Damilola Kumapayi, 39, from Plano, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and received a sentence of 109 months in federal prison. Sandra Iribhogbe Popnen, 50, also from Plano, admitted guilt on charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy and was sentenced to 365 months. Edgal Iribhogbe, 51, from Allen; Chidindu Okeke, 32; and Chiagoziem Okeke, 32, both from Houston were found guilty at trial of similar charges and each received sentences of 480 months.
Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs commented on the case: “Transnational organized criminals targeting the hard-earned savings of elderly and vulnerable populations are simply despicable... The defendants’ lengthy sentences in this case reflect the seriousness of their crimes.”
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock added: “The defendants were part of a transnational organized crime syndicate that defrauded victims collectively out of millions... We hope these sentences give them a sense of comfort.”
Christopher J. Altemus Jr., IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge for the Dallas Field Office remarked: “The collective sentences... is a testament to the unwavering resolve... Through relentless investigation and prosecution... holding these predators accountable.”
The sentencing hearings took place before U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III on June 16, 2025.
The court heard that starting around January 2017, the defendants executed multiple fraudulent schemes such as online romance scams and business email compromise frauds to extract money from victims globally. These operations primarily targeted elderly individuals using online dating sites among other methods.
This legal action is part of Operation Take Back America which aims to combat illegal immigration and dismantle transnational criminal organizations (TCOs).
Investigations were conducted by several agencies including FBI’s Dallas Field Office; Homeland Security Investigations; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS); U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service; Allen Police Department; Denton Police Department; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Texas Department of Public Safety with prosecution handled by assistant U.S. attorneys in Plano.
