Damian Williams, the United States attorney for the southern district of New York, says Oluseun Omole, a Texas-based Nigerian, has been found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

In a statement by the United States Attorney’s Office of Southern District, Williams said Omole participated in a consumer electronics scam and defrauded citizens of goods of over $12 million.

Omole was arraigned on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The attorney said Omole participated in the criminal acts perpetrated by members of a group called “Enterprise”, based in Nigeria.

He said Omole and his associates were involved in “online marketplace scams, in which Enterprise members sent electronic communications to victims feigning interest in buying consumer electronics, falsely represented to the victim that the items had been paid for, and instructed the victim to send the consumer electronics to OMOLE”.

He added that the group was also involved in “romance scams, in which Enterprise members sent electronic communications to victims feigning romantic intentions, gained their trust and affection, and took advantage of that goodwill to induce victims into sending consumer electronics and other money or property to OMOLE”.

Williams said the suspects were also engaged in employment scams, posting fake job opportunities online and demanding electronics including smartphones, smartwatches, laptops, and tablets, among other items from prospective employees as a requirement for the role.

He said Omole used a business corporation named “Tobylink Impressions” to defraud victims of thousands of goods, adding that the suspect repackaged the products and dispatched them to his accomplices in Nigeria.

He said during the trial, the suspect pleaded guilty before Katharine Parker, the presiding judge.

The US attorney further said most of the fraudulent activities were conducted from February 2018 to March 2023.

“Over the course of approximately five years, Oluseun Martins Omole received more than $12 million worth of fraudulently obtained consumer electronics and other items,” the statement reads.

“Thousands of victims believed that they were sending these electronics and items to romantic lovers, legitimate buyers, and reputable employers. Instead, they went straight to Omole, who repackaged those electronics and goods and shipped them in bulk to co-conspirators located overseas in exchange for the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars.

“Those like Omole who participate in such fraud schemes will find themselves facing prison time.

“During the relevant time period, OMOLE owned and operated a business corporation named Tobylink Impessions, Inc., a/k/a Tobylink Impressions, Inc. (“Tobylink”), which claimed to be a distributor, re-seller, and supplier of satellite communications equipment.”

He added that as part of his plea bargain, Omole agreed to pay restitution in an amount to be ordered by the court and to forfeit an amount of US currency to be ordered by the court, as well as various consumer electronics and other goods seized by law enforcement.

The attorney added that Omole will be sentenced by Jesse Furman, U.S. district judge, on July 30, 2024.

The South African police have arrested eight Nigerians for allegedly attacking officers during a drug raid.

In a statement issued on Friday, the police said the suspects were arrested in the Northern Cape province.

The police said the suspects also damaged vehicles and other property.

“At the time of the arrest, police were tracing information of one of the Nigerian nationals being in possession of drugs,” the statement reads.

“While conducting this search, a large group of Nigerians attacked police. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

“One suspect was arrested for illegal possession of drugs, and three suspects were arrested for public violence and detained at Kimberley Police Station.

“During processing, the suspects broke windows at the station. Additional charges of malicious damage to property were added.

“Another group of Nigerians later approached the Police Station and threatened to retaliate.

“The Operational Commander warned the group to disperse.

“However, upon dispersing, the group damaged police vehicles. Another four suspects were arrested for malicious damage to property.”

Koliswa Otola, police commissioner for the province, commended officers for the arrest of the suspects.

Otola condemned acts of violence against law enforcement agents, saying those who prevent police from exercising their duties “will be dealt with harshly”.

“We will not allow such lawless behaviour,” the commissioner said.

“We are processing the suspects and working with Home Affairs to determine if they are legally or illegally in the country.

“Police will continue to stamp the authority of the state in the Northern Cape Province.”

Police operatives in Lagos State have arrested a grandmother for locking up three of her grandchildren. 

The spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command Benjamin Hundeyin said the suspect’s neighbours alerted them about the development.

“All thanks to vigilant neighbours who alerted the police, these children were rescued by police officers from Ikotun Division after being locked up in a room for days by their grandmother,” he said in a post on his official X handle on Friday.

“The children are now in safe hands while their grandmother is in police custody. An investigation is ongoing. See something, say something!”

The children comprising a girl and two boys, looked malnourished from the photos he shared online.