Nigerian Money Transfer Company Linked to Romance Scam Money Laundering

On July 7, 2022, the US Attorney for the Northern District of Texas announced that Ping Express had been found guilty. Prior to this, their CEO Anslem Oshionebo*, their COO Opeyemi Odeyale (now imprisoned at the Danbury Federal Correctional Institute, 60177-177), their IT Manager Aleoghena Okhumale (now imprisoned at the Fort Worth FMC), and Olufemi Sadiq (now imprisoned at the Pollock FCI) were arrested on March 10, 2020.

What was Ping Express? Ping was a small business, never having more than ten employees, which operated from 8585 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas. Their CEO was Anslem Oshionebo and their COO was Opeyemi Odeyale. Ping had a smart phone app and a website and advertised that its users could easily send money to Nigeria for a small fee. It operated by having money on deposit in Nigeria. When a US-based client requested a transfer, a hold was placed on the customer’s bank account (similar to a hold placed when one rents a car or stays in a hotel.) Then Ping would transfer funds from its Africa-based wallet to the recipient’s Africa-based bank account. When the transfer was completed, Ping would then request payment from the sender’s bank account.

While this post is about the US-based aspects of Ping Express and their crimes, the company’s Instagram page continues to advertise that individuals in many places can use their services, including the UK, Canada, and Europe.

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