Ireland Jails Two Nigerians Over €6.17m Cross-Border Fraud Operation

Two Nigerian nationals based in Ireland have been sentenced to a combined prison term of more than 16 years for their roles in a sophisticated international fraud and money laundering operation.

The convicts, Francis Ogbuefi, 42, and Steven Silvester, 32, were prosecuted following a detailed investigation by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, according to reports from Raidió Teilifís Éireann.

Ogbuefi, a resident of Clonard Road in Crumlin, Dublin, was handed a nine-year jail term, while Silvester, who lived in The Paddocks, Morristown, Newbridge, County Kildare, received a seven-and-a-half-year sentence.

Prosecutors told the court that both men travelled from Nigeria to Ireland to take part in organised fraud activities, with total losses linked to the scheme estimated at €6.17 million. Despite pleading not guilty, they were convicted by a jury after a trial concluded last month.

Court documents revealed that more than €6 million was fraudulently obtained through schemes such as romance scams and smishing attacks, with proceeds funnelled through multiple bank accounts across different jurisdictions.

Investigators said the duo controlled and coordinated accounts used to receive illicit funds, responding to requests from various parts of the world—many tied to Nigerian phone numbers—to facilitate fraudulent transfers.

Evidence presented in court included data recovered from Ogbuefi’s mobile device, which reportedly contained operational instructions detailing roles, transaction volumes, and account requirements. He was also accused of directing the use of Irish identities to open bank accounts and avoid detection.

Prosecutors described him as a key coordinator within the network, maintaining contact with collaborators operating outside Ireland.

Authorities also uncovered a tutorial video explaining how to carry out the fraud, along with images said to show Ogbuefi overseeing transactions and managing activities within the syndicate. He was alleged to have taken a 20 per cent cut from the proceeds and to have demonstrated considerable experience in such operations.

Further findings indicated that Ogbuefi entered Ireland on a student visa, while Silvester had previously lived in direct provision accommodation before becoming transient.

Presiding judge Martin Nolan described the scheme as complex, noting that such operations rely heavily on access to bank accounts and an in-depth understanding of financial systems. He commended investigators for their persistence in uncovering the crimes and presenting compelling evidence.

Although both men had no prior criminal convictions and were described as intelligent individuals with supportive families, the judge said the seriousness of the offences warranted substantial custodial sentences, while also acknowledging their potential for rehabilitation.