Former Nigeria U18 long jump champion, Mercy Uyoyo Abire has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
This was revealed recently by the U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to court documents and information presented to the Court, between 2018 and 2022, Abire, 28, and her coconspirators used online romance scams, online charity scams, and other types of fraud to defraud victims of their money.
‘The money received as a result of these scams was then transferred between the conspirators, and ultimately, much of the money was transferred overseas.
‘Between November 2018 and April of 2019, Abire herself transferred over $100,000.00 to coconspirators through her U.S. bank account,’ according to court documents.
Abire is scheduled to be sentenced on August 30, 2023 and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.
According to reports, a federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI investigated the case.
‘Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Eichner originally prosecuted the case, and it is currently being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Buckner,’ reports revealed.
Abire holds a 6.52m lifetime best in the long jump achieved two years ago at the Nigerian Championships held at the Yaba College of Technology, Yabatech, in Lagos.
