Several people have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a complicated fraud operation in the Eastern District of Texas, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
The defendants, who targeted the elderly and defenseless, were all sentenced to over 160 years in prison.
Damilola Kumapayi, 39, of Plano, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct wire fraud and got a 109-month federal prison term. Sandra Iribhogbe Popnen, 50, of Plano, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering and received a 365-month sentence. Edgal Iribhogbe, 51, of Allen, was found guilty at trial of similar charges and sentenced to 480 months. Chidindu Okeke and Chiagoziem Okeke, both 32 years old and from Houston, were both found guilty at trial and sentenced to 480 months.
“The defendants were part of a transnational organized crime syndicate that defrauded victims collectively out of millions of dollars,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We hope these sentences give them a sense of comfort and sends a clear message that the FBI is committed to pursuing justice for victims.”
On June 16, 2025, sentencing hearings were held before U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III, in Sherman. The fraudulent operations began in January 2017 and included online romance scams, company email compromise, investment fraud, and unemployment insurance fraud. According to court documents, the scheme resulted in about $17 million in fraudulently obtained funds from at least 100 victims worldwide.
“The collective sentences of nearly 160 years handed down to these defendants is a testament to the unwavering resolve of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and our law enforcement partners,” said Christopher J. Altemus, Jr., IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Office. “Through relentless investigation and prosecution, they have brought justice to the victims, holding these predators accountable for exploiting trust and devastating lives.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs underlined the gravity of the crimes and the commitment of law enforcement officials and prosecutors to bringing the criminals to justice. “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,” Combs told the crowd.