Three with Ghanaian links among 25 convicted in $215 million international scam in US

Three individuals with Ghanaian links are among 25 people convicted in connection with a large-scale international fraud and money laundering scheme that defrauded victims of approximately $215 million across the United States and beyond.

The individuals have been identified as Kingsley Owusu, 37, a naturalised US citizen based in Chicago, Emily Agyemang, 35, of Joliet, Illinois and Emmanuel Essilfie, 28, who resides in Naperville, Illinois.

Authorities say the convictions form part of a broader crackdown on a transnational criminal network involved in sophisticated fraud operations and the laundering of illicit proceeds across multiple jurisdictions.

According to a statement issued on April 30, 2026, by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, the convictions form part of a wider crackdown on a sophisticated fraud network commonly referred to as a “business email compromise” scheme.

Following a four-day trial, a federal jury in Toledo convicted three key defendants, Oluwafemi Michael Awoyemi, 40, Aruan Drake, 37 and Peter Reed, 35 on charges of wire fraud conspiracy. Awoyemi and Drake were also found guilty of money laundering conspiracy. The trial was presided over by US District Judge James R. Knepp II.

In total, 25 defendants have now been convicted for their roles in the international scheme, which targeted more than 1,000 victims across 47 US states and at least 19 countries.

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Court documents revealed that the fraud network operated by hacking into email accounts of individuals, businesses, and organisations many linked to Nigerian-based groups.

Once access was gained, the perpetrators monitored communications to understand business transactions and relationships. They then sent carefully crafted fraudulent emails requesting payments, which appeared legitimate to recipients.

After securing funds, the conspirators used a complex network of fraudulent bank accounts and cash transfer systems to launder and distribute the money.

See the full list below:

Ayobami Osas Christopher, aka Lovely Man, 30, a naturalized U.S. citizen residing in Lawrenceville, Georgia

Emmauel Okereke, aka Omo Igbo, 42, a Nigerian national, residing in Atlanta

Olalekan Bashiru, aka Ola Bash, 36, a Nigerian national, residing in Chicago

Mark Dabney, 26, of Chicago

Casey Adesulu Jr., 28, of Houston

Jeremiah Agina, 29, a Nigerian national, residing in Houston

Ayorinde Emmanuel Adebayo, 35, a naturalized U.S. citizen, residing in Olympia Fields, Illinois

Emily Agyemang, 35, of Joliet, Illinois

Ademola Balogun, 43, a Nigerian national, residing in Chicago

Olabode Bankole, 37, a naturalized U.S. citizen, residing in Loganville, Georgia

India Barnes, 37, of Atlanta

Emmanuel Essilfie, 28, a Ghanaian national, residing in Naperville, Illinois

Chukwuemeka Evulukwu, 35, a naturalized U.S. citizen, residing in Atlanta

Jeremiah Glinsey, 32, of Chicago

Lon Goodman, 69, of Whiting, Indiana

Shaquille I. Jackson, 33, of Chicago

Mikhail Keize, 31, of Loganville, Georgia

Katiera Lackey, 25, of Houston

Kingsley Owusu, 37, a naturalized U.S. citizen, residing in Chicago

Anton Parker, 37, of Chicago

Carlton Pruitt, 27, of Bellwood, Illinois

Ronnell Spencer, 35, of Chicago

AM

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