Nigerian resident of Atlanta sentenced for cyber fraud

Gavel and money in the court. Penalty or bribe. money tile court jail bail bailout / Getty Images
Gavel and money in the court. Penalty or bribe. money tile court jail bail bailout / Getty Images

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Federal prosecutors say a Nigerian man living in the U.S. state of Georgia has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for his role in an internet fraud scheme that stole millions through computer and wire fraud.

The U.S. attorney's office in Memphis, Tennessee, says 31-year-old Olufolajimi Abegunde was sentenced Tuesday for wire fraud.

Prosecutors say the Atlanta resident and several other people created fake business emails and profiles on dating websites to trick victims into sending money to bogus bank accounts. Funds were laundered and wired to destinations in West Africa.

The organization caused more than $10 million in damages.

Abegeunde helped launder money through a compromised business email of a land title company located in Bellingham, Washington, and a real estate company in Memphis, Tennessee.

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