HARRISBURG — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Prince Edosa, age 54, formerly of Brooklyn, NY, and a dual citizen of both Nigeria and the United States, was sentenced on February 27, 2019, by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 63 months’ imprisonment for his role in international consumer fraud schemes.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Edosa pleaded guilty in May 2017 to conspiracy and mail fraud charges. Edosa and nine codefendants were indicted in January 2013, and charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.  The charges stemmed from the defendants’ perpetration of bogus sweepstakes winnings, advance fee and internet purchase schemes between 2002 and 2010 that defrauded hundreds of consumers across the United States. A substantial portion of the fraud proceeds was diverted to Canada, Nigeria, and Romania by the defendant and his conspirators. Edosa owned and operated three MoneyGram and two Western Union outlets in Brooklyn between 2004 and 2009, and used the MoneyGram and Western Union money transfer systems to launder the fraud victims’ proceeds. Edosa stipulated the losses sustained by 410 victims totaled $1,458,224. 

Edosa was a fugitive from justice for more than four years until his arrest in New York, NY in October 2017.  Three codefendants including his wife, Susan Osagiede, have been arrested, convicted and sentenced. Six other defendants remain fugitives.

Chief Judge Conner also ordered Edosa to pay $668,525 in restitution.

The case was investigated by the Harrisburg Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Douglas Daniel is prosecuting the case.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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