Two Nigerian nationals, Norbert Ozemena Ikwuegbundo, 28 and Omniyi Jonathan Omotere, 35, both living in Las Vegas, Nevada risk — 97 and 49 years in prison, respectively — over alleged $3.3 million house rent scam.
According to the court indictment, the scheme involved using multiple false identities and counterfeit drivers’ licenses.
The duo were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. In addition, Ikwuegbundo is charged for possessing equipment used to make counterfeit drivers’ licenses, one count of concealment money laundering, and one count of aggravated identity theft while Omotere is charged with one count of wire fraud.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Los Angeles Field Office; prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Drain.
In the indictment, it was stated that from about March 2018 until about September 2019, the defendants and others engaged in the scheme.
The document alleged that Ikwuegbundo and Omotere assumed the identities of homeowners who were advertising on websites to rent their properties.
