In a recent ruling, an American businessman, Marco Antonio Ramirez, has been sentenced to 74 years in prison by a Lagos State Special Offences Court. Ramirez was convicted for scamming victims out of $1.2 million through a fraudulent EB-5 visa scheme, alongside an additional $368,698.24 in a separate fraud case.
Justice Mojisola Dada, who presided over the case, found Ramirez guilty on two consolidated charges brought forward by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). For the first charge, Ramirez was sentenced to eight years each on counts one to six and 10 years each on counts seven and eight. The second charge saw him receive 10 years each on counts one to 12 for obtaining money under false pretenses, and another 10 years each on counts 13 to 16 for stealing.
Ramirez, alongside his companies—USA Now LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP—convinced victims that they would gain access to the EB-5 visa program, a U.S. immigration program offering Green Cards in exchange for large investments. However, the businessman failed to follow through with his promises and instead used the funds for personal gain.
One of the victims, Godson Echegile, was defrauded of $545,000 under the guise of a processing fee that would help him qualify for U.S. permanent residency. These crimes took place in Lagos in early 2013.
Ramirez was initially arraigned on 12 counts of fraud, but the EFCC later amended the charges to 16 counts in June 2022. On September 10, 2024, Justice Dada found him guilty of all charges, sentencing him to 10 years each on counts related to obtaining money under false pretenses and stealing.
Additionally, Ramirez was convicted in a separate case involving $250,000 fraud against another victim, Gabriel Ogie Edeoghon. Ramirez falsely claimed that this money was for an investment in one of his companies, which would also make Edeoghon eligible for a U.S. Green Card under the EB-5 visa program. For this, he received further sentences of eight years on counts one to six and 10 years each on counts seven and eight.
This case serves as a cautionary tale for those seeking immigration opportunities, highlighting the need for vigilance against fraud.
