He said Omole and his associates were involved in “online
marketplace scams, in which Enterprise members sent electronic communications
to victims feigning interest in buying consumer electronics, falsely
represented to the victim that the items had been paid for, and instructed the
victim to send the consumer electronics to OMOLE”.
He added that the group was also involved in “romance scams,
in which Enterprise members sent electronic communications to victims feigning
romantic intentions, gained their trust and affection, and took advantage of
that goodwill to induce victims into sending consumer electronics and other
money or property to OMOLE”.
Williams said the suspects were also engaged in employment
scams, posting fake job opportunities online and demanding electronics
including smartphones, smartwatches, laptops, and tablets, among other items
from prospective employees as a requirement for the role.
He said Omole used a business corporation named “Tobylink
Impressions” to defraud victims of thousands of goods, adding that the suspect
repackaged the products and dispatched them to his accomplices in Nigeria.
He said during the trial, the suspect pleaded guilty before
Katharine Parker, the presiding judge.
The US attorney further said most of the fraudulent
activities were conducted from February 2018 to March 2023.
“Over the course of approximately five years, Oluseun
Martins Omole received more than $12 million worth of fraudulently obtained
consumer electronics and other items,” the statement reads.
“Thousands of victims
believed that they were sending these electronics and items to romantic lovers,
legitimate buyers, and reputable employers.
Instead, they went straight to Omole, who repackaged those electronics
and goods and shipped them in bulk to co-conspirators located overseas in exchange
for the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars.
“Those like Omole who participate in such fraud schemes will
find themselves facing prison time.
“During the relevant time period, OMOLE owned and operated a
business corporation named Tobylink Impessions, Inc., a/k/a Tobylink
Impressions, Inc. (“Tobylink”), which claimed to be a distributor, re-seller,
and supplier of satellite communications equipment.”
He added that as part of his plea bargain, Omole agreed to
pay restitution in an amount to be ordered by the court and to forfeit an
amount of US currency to be ordered by the court, as well as various consumer
electronics and other goods seized by law enforcement.
The attorney added that Omole will be sentenced by Jesse
Furman, U.S. district judge, on July 30, 2024.
