Transnational Email Fraud Scheme Nets Prison Terms for Four Defendants

MIAMI - Four defendants have been sentenced for their roles in a transnational business email compromise (BEC) scheme that stole more than $38 million from victims across the U.S. and abroad.

Kelvin Owusu Nkwantabisa, also known as "Kevin Brown" and "KO," 33, of Georgia, and John Jouissance, 33, of Ohio, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, while Leshea Moore, also known as "Deborah Green," 29, of Georgia, and Justice Amoh, "Samuel Andrews," 37, of New York, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to court records, beginning at least in August 2022, the defendants were members of a transnational criminal organization (TCO) that carried out a sophisticated BEC fraud targeting individuals and businesses. The group gained unauthorized access to victims' email accounts, monitored communications involving legitimate financial transactions, and then impersonated trusted business partners to redirect payments to bank accounts controlled by the TCO. The stolen funds were then moved through multiple accounts to conceal their origin and avoid detection.

"This was organized international fraud carried out through deception, stolen trust, and financial manipulation," said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. "These defendants infiltrated legitimate business communications, diverted millions of dollars, and laundered the proceeds through shell companies and fraudulent bank accounts to conceal their crimes. Business email compromise schemes can devastate companies and individuals in a matter of hours. Today's sentences send a clear message: if you use our financial system to steal and launder money, we will find you, follow the money, and hold you accountable."

Nkwantabisa led the U.S.-based operation. He coordinated with overseas co-conspirators, directed the creation of bank accounts across multiple states to receive victim funds, tracked incoming payments, and instructed others on how to launder the proceeds. Nkwantabisa was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Moore established shell companies, opened bank accounts using fictitious identities, and conducted financial transactions to launder fraud proceeds. She also managed others involved in creating false identities and communicated with financial institutions about victim payments. Moore was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison.

Amoh opened bank accounts using fictitious identities to receive victim funds and carried out financial transactions at Nkwantabisa's direction to launder proceeds. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

Jouissance established shell companies, opened bank accounts to receive victim funds, and conducted financial transactions to launder the proceeds. He was sentenced to four years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones and Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami made the announcement.

HSI Fort Lauderdale investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Quin Landon prosecuted the case. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon handled asset forfeiture.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. under case number 24-cr-60061.

###