Man gets 10 months in money scheme
Another defendant in a multi-million dollar inheritance scheme will now serve less than one year in federal prison.
Jide Abimbola was sentenced to 10 months before Senior Judge John Coughenour in the District Court of Guam.
Abimbola learned his fate after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The case involved more than $2.3 million and over 50 Guam residents fell victim to the advance fee scheme.
Defense attorney Jay Arriola said, “Mr. Abimbola is satisfied with his sentence. He’s very remorseful and he apologizes to the people of Guam for anybody he’s hurt.”
Arriola added Abimbola has already paid back about half of his restitution to the victims and was the only defendant who testified against those involved in the scheme.
He also said his client is responsible for putting a stop to the scheme. Abimbola declined comment after the hearing.
His co-defendants have since admitted to their roles in the scam.
As we reported, the group scammed island residents by falsely representing they would need to pay certain taxes and fees in advance before receiving funds for the inheritance.
The victims were promised large amounts of money for paying a fee, but they never got anything in return.