💰 Scammer Steals Over $6 Million from Seniors with Inheritance Scam

WEEKLY SCAM ALERTS
Week of July 6, 2025

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SENIOR SCAM NEWS
Nigerian National Pleads Guilty to Scamming Seniors Out of Over $6 Million

This week, we’re shedding light on one of the most damaging elder scams we’ve seen this year—and it’s a perfect example of how sophisticated, global fraud operations prey on kindness and hope.

A Nigerian national has pleaded guilty to running a transnational inheritance scam that defrauded more than 400 U.S. seniors out of over $6 million. The ringleader, Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, age 41, was recently convicted of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and now faces up to 20 years in prison.

This scam didn’t just span states—it spanned continents. And while justice is now catching up, the financial and emotional damage it left behind is a wake-up call for all of us.

The Scam: Promises of Fortune, Built on Lies

Akhimie and his team mailed personalized letters to elderly Americans, claiming to represent a bank in Spain. These letters said the recipient was entitled to a multimillion-dollar inheritance from a long-lost relative who died overseas.

But before they could receive the fortune, victims were told they needed to pay for:

• Delivery fees

• Legal expenses

• Taxes

• And special government "clearance" charges

Many victims sent money repeatedly, convinced they were one step away from life-changing wealth. In truth, the inheritance didn’t exist.

Even worse, Akhimie and his crew recruited former victims to help collect and forward funds to other scammers—deepening the deception and making it harder to trace.

The Victims: Targeting the Trusting

Over 400 victims, many of them elderly and vulnerable, fell for the scam. Some lost tens of thousands of dollars. These weren’t careless people—they were targeted because they were trusting, isolated, or unfamiliar with international fraud.

Justice Delivered—Worldwide

Akhimie is just one of several people now behind bars for their roles in this scheme. According to court documents:

• 7 co-conspirators from Nigeria, the U.K., and Spain have already been convicted and sentenced

• Sentences ranged from 82 months to 128 months

• One scammer was extradited from Portugal, another paroled from Nigeria

The investigation was made possible through international cooperation, with help from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and law enforcement in the U.K., Spain, and Portugal.

What to Watch Out For

Scams like these continue to evolve—but they often rely on a few common tactics:

🚫 No legitimate inheritance will require upfront payment.
📬 Be skeptical of letters or emails from foreign banks or law firms.
💵 Never send money to claim money.
💬 Talk to someone you trust before making any financial decisions involving an inheritance, lawsuit, or foreign prize.

Remember: If it sounds too good to be true—it probably is.

Your Voice Could Be the Turning Point

If something feels wrong—it probably is.

Scammers count on silence. They rely on embarrassment to keep you quiet. But reporting a scam doesn’t make you a victim—it makes you part of the solution.

Whether you caught the scam in time or handed over money, your story can help catch criminals, protect others, and recover losses.

📢 What To Do If You’ve Been Targeted

If you're over 60 or helping a loved one navigate fraud, take action right away:

• 📞 Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline:
  1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
  Trained professionals will guide you through the next steps—confidentially and with compassion.

• 💻 Report it online at the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center:
  www.ic3.gov

• 🚔 Contact your local police department, even if the scam “didn’t work.” Every report builds a case.

What to Include in Your Report:

✅ Names, emails, or numbers used by the scammer
✅ Any websites, text messages, or voicemails
✅ Details of any money sent—cash, wire transfers, gold, or gift cards
✅ Screenshots or receipts, if available

We’re in this together. By staying informed, you help protect yourself and others.