Former LSU Athlete Sentenced in Nigerian Scam Scheme

In Louisiana, we are no strangers to lying, cheating, and stealing, but enough about the Louisiana Legislature, let's talk about the bad guys we didn't elect, namely those darn Internet scam artists. Lafayette, Louisiana, and Monroe, Louisiana were recently singled out in a USA Today study concerning credit card fraud and identity theft. See what I mean? We know our scams or we know we're about to be scammed?

Does Anyone Still Fall for the Old Nigerian Prince Scam?

You better believe they do and that scam that has become a piece of American pop culture through the years might just have a connection to Louisiana State University, the University of Florida, the University of Alabama, and a much smaller school William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

If you're not familiar with the Nigerian Prince scam here is the Cliffs Notes version. A rich Nigerian Prince needs help getting his fortune out of the country. He emails that he is willing to wire it to you because "you are a trusted confidant". In order for him to wire the money you have to pay wire charges, send him a gift card, give him your PIN for a debit card, and just pick your poison it's how they get your money.

Athletes from LSU, Alabama, and Florida Implicated in Fraud Scheme

Uyoyo Mercy Abire a Nigerian who was part of the LSU Track Team was sentenced along with four other Nigerian athletes for their alleged involvement in participating in an apparent attempt to defraud others and launder the money from the ill-gotten gains.

It is estimated the activities of the five athletes implicated netted more than $820,000 in American dollars from more than 100 victims. We should point out that none of the athletes implicated had direct contact with the victims but they were a part of the scheme which sent all of that money overseas.

Abire pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and was sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. This is according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Mississippi. 

The former LSU Tiger and the others implicated, charged, and sentenced in this scheme were ordered to pay restitution to the victims from whom they personally received funds. Each of the individuals also remains subject to potential deportation and removal from the United States.