Court slams 74-year sentence on American bizman for $1.2m visa scam
On Tuesday, a Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja convicted American businessman Marco Antonio Ramirez, sentencing him to 74 years in prison for defrauding victims of $1.2 million through an EB-5 visa scam, and an additional $368,698.24 in fraud.
Justice Mojisola Dada, who delivered the verdict, found Ramirez guilty on two consolidated charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court determined that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
For the first charge, Ramirez received an eight-year sentence for each of counts one through six, and ten years each for counts seven and eight.
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On the second charge, Ramirez received a 10-year sentence for each of counts one through twelve for obtaining money by false pretenses, and 10 years for each of counts thirteen through sixteen for theft.
The EFCC stated that Ramirez, along with his companies—USA Now LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP—fraudulently obtained money from victims by promising them access to the Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) visa program. This program was supposed to qualify them for U.S. Green Cards and permanent residency. However, Ramirez failed to deliver on these promises and instead used the funds for his personal benefit.
In her judgment, Justice Dada stated, “The convict dishonestly converted the money meant for investments to his personal use. The prosecution has successfully proven that the promises made to the victims were false, and the funds obtained were through fraudulent pretenses.”
The EFCC reported that Ramirez’s fraudulent activities occurred in 2013. One of the victims, Godson Echegile, lost $545,000 under the false pretense that it was a processing fee for an investment that would qualify him for a U.S. Green Card through the EB-5 program.
He was initially arraigned on 12 counts related to fraud and pleaded not guilty. Later, the EFCC amended the charges, and Ramirez was re-arraigned on 16 counts on June 24, 2022.
The American was accused of committing the offenses on February 5, 2013, and April 18, 2013, in Lagos.
When the trial commenced, prosecution counsel M.S. Owede, assisted by Samuel Daji, presented several pieces of documentary evidence and called witnesses to substantiate the allegations. Ramirez was cross-examined by defense counsel Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN).
The case experienced several adjournments during the adoption of final written addresses. Counsel eventually presented their final addresses on May 8, 2024, after which the judge adjourned for judgment.
However, while delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Dada found Ramirez guilty as charged and sentenced him to 10 years each on counts one through twelve for obtaining by false pretenses, and 10 years each on counts thirteen through sixteen for theft.
The judge also found him guilty on a separate amended nine-count charge related to $368,698.24 in fraud.
In another case, Ramirez was found guilty of defrauding another victim, Gabriel Ogie Edeoghon, of $250,000 on July 26, 2013. Ramirez had falsely claimed that the money was for an investment in the USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, which would make Edeoghon eligible for a U.S. Green Card through the EB-5 visa program.
For this particular fraud, Ramirez received additional sentences of eight years each on counts one through six and 10 years each on counts seven and eight.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at Neptune Prime.
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