A Bronx man was sentenced to 13 years in prison — and ordered to pay millions in restitution — for his role in an international scheme that defrauded individuals and businesses out of nearly $12 million, announced U.S. Attorney Damian Williams Monday.
Bashiru Ganiyu, 39, was convicted in April for his role in the fraud scheme, which was based in Ghana and took place from about 2020 to 2022. A team of co-conspirators assumed false identities and contacted more than 40 victims via email, text message or dating apps, then convinced them to send money under false pretenses, which Ganiyu funneled into 10 different bank accounts he controlled in the Bronx.
Most of the victims were vulnerable, elderly adults who lived alone, according to Williams. “The defendant’s conduct devastated victims around the country, including many who were looking for companionship,” he said.
Ganiyu’s 13-year prison sentence also included three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to forfeit $11.7 million and pay nearly $8 million in restitution.
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a warning in June about these types of scams, where the perpetrator builds up the victim’s trust over an extended period of time and appears to be seeking a real relationship, with the underhanded goal of gaining access to victims’ bank accounts. James encourages anyone who may have been a victim of this type of scam to file a complaint online or call the Attorney General’s office at 1-800-771-7755.
Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
