East Providence Man Sentenced for Laundering Proceeds of Email and Online Scams

PROVIDENCE, R.I. –  An East Providence man who played a critical role in an international money laundering conspiracy that moved nearly $1.8 million to Nigeria obtained through various scams perpetrated in the United States was sentenced today to 42 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

Samson Ikotun, 34, pleaded guilty on September 29, 2021, to conspiracy to commit money laundering.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, victims were defrauded of $1.784,654 through romance scams, lottery frauds, rental property frauds, email compromises, and other schemes. Ikotun moved more than $888,000 of that money to co-conspirators in Nigeria, using various banking methods and the purchase of used vehicles that were shipped to Nigeria and resold.

According to court documents, as an FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Tallmadge, Ohio, and Moscow, Idaho Police Department investigation into Ikotun and others criminal activity was concluding, Ikotun was apprehended by FBI agents at the airport with a one-way ticket to Nigeria.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., sentenced Ikotun today to  42 months in federal prison to be followed by two years federal supervised release. The court is expected to issue a restitution order at a later date.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.

United States Attorney Cunha thanks United States Customs and Border Patrol; United States Secret Service; Rhode Island State Police; Providence, North Providence, East Providence, and Johnston, RI, Police Departments; Seekonk, Newton, Norfolk, and Hull, MA, Police Departments; New York State Police; Murphysboro, IL, Police Department; Greybull, WY, Police Department; Grand Island, NE, Police Department; Boca Raton, FL, Police Department; Lake County, FL, Sheriff’s Office; Brecknock Township, PA, Police Department; East Ridge, TN, Police Department; and San Angelo, TX, Police Department for their assistance in the investigation of the defendants involved in this conspiracy.

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