Two Nigerians have been jailed in Ireland for a combined 16 years after being convicted of orchestrating a €6 million global fraud and money laundering operation.
Two Nigerians, Francis Ogbuefi and Steven Silvester, have been sentenced to a combined 16 years in prison in Ireland for their roles in a sophisticated €6.17 million fraud and money laundering scheme. The convictions followed an extensive investigation by Irish authorities into global financial crimes linked to the duo.
Ogbuefi received a nine-year sentence, while Silvester was jailed for seven and a half years after both were found guilty by a jury despite denying the charges. Prosecutors said the pair coordinated fraudulent activities including romance scams and smishing, using multiple bank accounts to move illicit funds across countries.
Evidence presented in court showed the suspects managed accounts, instructed accomplices, and exploited banking systems, with Ogbuefi reportedly taking a 20 per cent share of proceeds. The presiding judge described the operation as complex but noted both men had no prior criminal records, adding they demonstrated potential for reform.
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