Five people from Texas were sentenced to significant federal prison terms on Monday for their roles in an extensive, multinational fraud operation that swindled about $17 million from victims throughout the world, including vulnerable elderly people.
On June 16, 2025, U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III handed down the punishments. The conspiracy began around January 2017 and included online romance frauds, business email hacks, investor fraud, and unemployment insurance fraud.
Defendants and Sentences
This Article Includes
Damilola Kumapayi, aka “Luke Morris,” 39, of Plano, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct wire fraud and received a 109-month federal prison term.
Sandra Iribhogbe Popnen, also known as “General,” 50, of Plano, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. She received a sentence of 365 months.
Edgal Iribhogbe, nicknamed “Oseme,” 51, of Allen, was found guilty at trial of conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering and sentenced to 480 months.
Chidindu Okeke, also known as “Steve,” 32, of Houston, and Chiagoziem Okeke, 32, of Houston, were both convicted at trial of conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Each received a sentence of 480 months.
Details of the Scheme
According to evidence produced in court, the defendants conspired to collect money from at least 100 individual victims, businesses, and government agencies.
They then disguised, dispersed, and laundered the fraudulently obtained cash via a network of bank accounts, transferring payments to accounts, co-conspirators, and enterprises in Africa and Asia.
The operation mostly targeted the elderly, typically luring them in through online dating services.
What they’re saying: “Transnational organized criminals targeting the hard-earned savings of elderly and vulnerable populations are simply despicable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. “The long arm of the American justice system has no limits when it comes to reaching fraudsters who prey on our nation’s most vulnerable populations.”
According to FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock, the defendants were part of a multinational organized crime organization that cheated people out of millions of dollars, with some losing their whole life savings.
Christopher J. Altemus Jr., IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Office, underscored law enforcement’s commitment to prosecute financial crimes, particularly those targeting the elderly and disadvantaged. He cited the approximately 160-year collective sentence as evidence of their resolve.
