Two Nigerian nationals residing in Ireland have been sentenced to a combined prison term of over 16 years after being found guilty of involvement in what authorities described as a “highly sophisticated, global money laundering scheme”.
Francis Ogbuefi, 42, and Steven Silvester, 32, were arrested and prosecuted following a detailed investigation by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, according to reports by Raidió Teilifís Éireann.
Ogbuefi, who lives on Clonard Road in Crumlin, Dublin, was handed a nine-year prison term, while Silvester, of The Paddocks in Morristown, Newbridge, County Kildare, received a seven-and-a-half-year sentence.
Prosecutors told the court that both men had travelled from Nigeria to Ireland to take part in organised fraud activities, with the total value of the schemes linked to the case estimated at €6.17 million.
Although both defendants denied the charges, they were convicted by a jury after a trial held last month.
Court documents referenced by RTE revealed that more than €6 million was fraudulently obtained and laundered through various operations, including romance scams and smishing campaigns, with funds moved through multiple bank accounts.
Investigators said the duo controlled and supervised accounts used to receive illicit funds, responding to requests from different parts of the world, many linked to Nigerian phone numbers, for accounts needed to process fraudulent transactions.
Evidence retrieved from Ogbuefi’s mobile phone reportedly included detailed operational instructions, covering roles, transaction volumes, and account requirements.
He was also alleged to have instructed that accounts be opened using Irish identities to avoid detection.
Prosecutors described him as a key coordination point for collaborators operating outside Ireland.
Authorities further uncovered a nine-minute instructional video explaining how the fraud operations were carried out, along with images allegedly showing Ogbuefi overseeing transactions and managing activities within the network.
He is said to have taken a 20% share of the proceeds and claimed extensive experience in the scheme.
Additional findings suggested that Ogbuefi initially entered Ireland as a student, while Silvester had previously lived in direct provision before becoming transient.
Presiding judge Martin Nolan reportedly described the operation as complex, noting that such laundering networks rely heavily on access to bank accounts. He said both men demonstrated a strong understanding of banking systems and often tested their vulnerabilities.
While acknowledging the sophistication of the crimes, the judge commended investigators for their thorough work in tracing the network and presenting compelling evidence in court.
He also noted that the convicted men had no prior criminal records and were regarded positively by their families, describing them as intelligent individuals with prospects for rehabilitation.
