A Milton man has been sentenced following his conviction on money laundering charges.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says that 54-year-old Augustine Osemwegie used his Fall River car dealership, vehicle auctions and international car shipping to launder and transmit the proceeds of romance scams, pandemic unemployment fraud and other fraudulent schemes.
As part of the scheme Osemwegie would accept fraud proceeds in cash from “customers,” take a percentage fee for laundering the funds and then used the remaining funds to purchase used vehicles at auto auctions, purportedly for the use of his customers.
He would then ship those vehicles overseas, mostly to Nigeria, where they were sold for the benefit of his customers.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says that Osemwegie took part in calls and meetings with an undercover agent where he was recorded agreeing to accept fraud proceeds from the undercover agent and transfer them abroad, under the guise of purchasing a used luxury sedan.
Osemwegie plead guilty to one count of money laundering and was sentenced to six months of home confinement and two years of supervised release.
In addition he was also ordered to pay a fine of $5,500 and forfeiture.
Photo Credit: City Of Madeira Beach, Fl.
