A Maryland man was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison last week for his role in a wire fraud scheme that scammed victims out of over $1 million through fraudulent pet sales and non-delivery of agricultural goods.
Anomah Ndonwi, 32, of Chillum, will also spend three years of supervised release after his prison sentence, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes.
Ndonwi collaborated with others from at least September 2019 to December 2022 in a scheme that included selling pets, including dogs and horses, on the internet. Victims around the United States paid via wire transfer or electronic app but never received the promised animals or reimbursements.
The policy also covered non-delivery of agricultural products, including meat. In these cases, victims, often representing foreign businesses, would pay for goods via interstate or international wire transfers but never receive the merchandise or a reimbursement from the alleged sellers.
According to authorities, Ndonwi opened at least 14 bank accounts, largely in Maryland, with bogus identities to receive the unlawful gains. Ndonwi opened at least 12 of these accounts using false passports from the Republic of Cameroon, which bore his photograph but used an alias name.
Ndonwi collected at least $930,105 from the wire fraud conspiracy, which involved more than ten victims.
The punishment was imposed by United States District Judge Theodore D. Chuang. Hayes was joined by David Richeson, Special Agent in Charge of the Diplomatic Security Service’s Washington Field Office, in announcing the sentence.
