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Description: Huntington, West Virginia criminal law lawyer represented Defendant charged with engaging in a scheme that defrauded individuals in multiple states through the use of false online personas.

Evidence at trial revealed that Inusah was part of a conspiracy that targeted victims using false personas via email, text messaging, and online dating and social media websites. From at least January 2018 through at least December 2019, the scheme sought to induce victims into believing they were in a romantic relationship, friendship, or business relationship with the various false personas. The victims were persuaded to send money for a variety of false and fraudulent reasons for the benefit of the false personas.

One false persona, “Miarama,” was used to induce an Alabama resident into providing $106,000 via wire transfers and cashier’s checks. The amount included $48,000 to pay overdue taxes on a nonexistent gold inheritance in Ghana and $21,000 wired to Bitsav Supply LLC, a shell company set up by Inusah. Another false persona, “Grace,” persuaded a Washington resident to wire funds so “Grace” could maintain her South African cocoa plantation and move to the United States to marry the victim. Other victims of the false personas included residents of Ohio and Florida.

The jury found Inusah guilty of receipt of stolen money, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and two counts of wire fraud. The wire fraud counts involve a pair of $2,000 Zelle wire transfers to Inusah from the money obtained using the “Miarama” false persona in January 2019.

“It is truly heartbreaking how this conspiracy exploited individuals who were particularly vulnerable, such as following the death of a longtime spouse,” said United States Attorney Will Thompson. “Some of the victims did not recognize themselves as victims, and continued to believe these false personas were real and that they were in actual relationships. I commend the investigative work of the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), the West Virginia State Police and the South Charleston Police Department. I also commend Assistant United States Attorneys Kathleen Robeson and R. Gregory McVey and our trial team for trying this complex fraud case before the jury.”

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the jury trial. Inusah is scheduled to be sentenced on November 21, 2022, and faces a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison.

The public is encouraged to report potential online fraud activity or scams at https://www.ic3.gov/.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim, and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed 10am-6pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.

FRAUD BY WIRE, RADIO, OR TELEVISION
(1sss-2sss)
SALE OR RECEIPT OF STOLEN GOODS, SECURITIES, MONEYS, ETC.
(4sss)
MONEY LAUNDERING - INTERSTATE COMMERCE
(7sss)

Outcome: 08/12/2022 118 JURY TRIAL DAY FOUR (FINAL DAY) as to Abdul Inusah held by Judge Robert C. Chambers on 8/12/2022; Court Reporter: Kathy Swinhart. (trj)
08/12/2022 119 ORDER as to Abdul Inusah; upon jury trial held 8/9/2022 to 8/12/2022; directing the Clerk to enter the jury verdict; based on the jury's verdict, adjudging the defendant guilty and he now stands convicted of charges in Counts One, Two, Four, and Seven of the Third Superseding Indictment and not guilty of Counts Three, Five, and Six of the Third Superseding Indictment; directing the Probation Office to prepare and forward a draft presentence report to the Government and counsel for the defendant no later than 10/11/2022, the United States Attorney and counsel for the defendant to file objections to the draft presentence report no later than 10/24/2022 and the Probation Office to submit a final presentence report to the Court no later than 11/7/2022; further directing that if either the United States or counsel for the defendant decides to file a sentencing memorandum, such memorandum must be filed no later than 11/14/2022; and if either party requests a sentence outside the Guideline range, such memorandum must include evidence or argument to that effect; Sentencing set for 11/21/2022 at 02:30 PM in Huntington before Judge Robert C. Chambers; Defendant released on his previously executed bond and reinstated the condition of electronic monitoring; the defendant is subject to home detention; the defendant is restricted to his residence at all times except for employment, education, religious services, medical treatment, substance abuse treatment, or mental health treatment, attorney visits, court appearances, court-ordered obligations, or other activities approved in advance by the pretrial services office or supervising officer. Signed by Judge Robert C. Chambers on 8/12/2022. (cc: Judge, USA, USP, USM, counsel, deft) (mkw)
08/12/2022 120 JURY VERDICT as to Abdul Inusah; Guilty on Counts 1sss-2sss, 4sss, 7sss; Not Guilty on Counts 3sss, 5sss-6sss. (mkw)
08/12/2022 121 JURY VERDICT - UNREDACTED Copy for Court Users Only. (mkw)

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