Last Charged Collegiate Track Athlete Sentenced for Moving Money Overseas for Fraud Schemes

Aniekeme Etim, 24, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Hattiesburg.

According to court documents and information presented to the Court, between 2018 and 2022, fraudsters based in Nigeria targeted men and women across the United States in romance scams, fraudulent goods scams, and military scams.  The victims of the fraud schemes would be instructed to send money to individuals based in the United States, who would then transfer the money ultimately back overseas.

After investigating the money transfers, the FBI determined that Etim, Uyoyo Mercy Abire, Raymond Ekevwo, Toluwani Adebakin, Ngoni Chadyiwa, and Emmanuel Ineh, were all receiving and transferring the proceeds from the fraud schemes.  At the time that they were engaged in this activity, each of the individuals were collegiate track and field athletes.

Etim and Adebakin, originally from Nigeria, were track and field athletes at William Carey University. Abire, originally from Nigeria, was a track and field athlete at Louisiana State University.  Ekevwo, originally from Nigeria, was a track and field athlete at the University of Florida. Ngoni Chadyiwa, originally from Zimbabwe, was a track and field athlete at William Carey University.  Finally, Emmanuel Ineh, originally from Nigeria, was a track and field athlete at William Carey University and the University of Alabama.

Ultimately, the investigation did not show that any of the athletes directly contacted any of the fraud victims.  However, as a result of the fraud schemes, the athletes received funds from over 100 victims and transferred over $820,000 overseas.

Etim was sentenced today after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting the operation of an unlicensed money transmission business. Abire pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. Ekevwo pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the operation of an unlicensed money transmission business and was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.  Adebakin pleaded guilty to money laundering and was sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.  Chadyiwa pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the operation of an unlicensed money transmission business and was sentenced to three years of probation.  Ineh pleaded guilty to money laundering and was sentenced to time served and 3 years of supervised release.

Additionally, as part of their sentence, all of the defendants were ordered to pay restitution to the victims from whom they personally received funds. Each of the defendants also remain subject to potential deportation and/or removal.

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee and Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement..

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Buckner and former Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Eichner prosecuted the case.