US Court Jails France-Based Nigerian 41 Months for $8m Fraud

A federal court in the United States has sentenced Newton Ofioritse Jemide, a 47-year-old Nigerian based in France, to 41 months in prison for orchestrating a massive disaster relief fraud scheme targeting U.S. federal aid programs.

Jemide, who was extradited to the U.S. earlier this year, admitted to masterminding a conspiracy that stole more than $8 million in federal benefits intended for disaster victims. Between 2016 and 2017, he and his accomplices allegedly used stolen identities of U.S. citizens to open hundreds of Green Dot prepaid debit cards. They then submitted fraudulent emergency assistance claims to FEMA and other agencies, each worth approximately $500 per claimant.

The U.S. Department of Justice stated that once the benefits were loaded onto the debit cards, Jemide and his network instructed collaborators to withdraw the funds in exchange for a commission. They took steps to conceal their operation, using intermediaries and multiple withdrawal locations to avoid detection. In total, FEMA disbursed at least $8 million through the scheme.

On July 1, U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow handed down a sentence of three years and five months incarceration. Jemide will also serve three years of supervised release, pay $520,431 in restitution, and forfeit $311,036 to the U.S. government.

Evidence presented in court detailed a carefully planned and executed operation, involving multiple conspirators both in Nigeria and within the U.S. The Justice Department emphasized the methodical nature of the crime, with stolen personal data, multiple debit card purchases, and coordinated cash-outs.

Jemide’s plea and sentencing highlight ongoing international cooperation between American and European law enforcement in combatting transnational fraud. U.S. authorities praised the efforts of French counterparts, the U.S. Social Security Administration, the Secret Service, and FEMA investigators.

This conviction marks another significant step in the global fight against holiday aid fraud and identity theft. Authorities reaffirm their commitment to pursuing fraudsters who exploit government programs meant for the most vulnerable.