Lagos Court Sentences American Businessman to 74 Years in Prison for $1.2M Fraud

An Ikeja Special Offences Court has sentenced Marco Ramirez, an American businessman, to 74 years in prison for fraud. Ramirez was convicted on Tuesday on charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Originally arraigned on a 12-count charge, Ramirez was re-arraigned on June 24, 2022, on a 16-count charge before presiding judge Mojisola Dada. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Ramirez, along with his companies—USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP—was prosecuted for a $1,235,000 EB-5 visa scam. He was accused of obtaining money from his victims as processing fees for investments in his company, which he claimed would make them eligible for a U.S. green card. However, he allegedly failed to fulfill his promises.

Additionally, Ramirez faced a separate nine-count charge related to a $368,698.24 fraud.

In her judgment, the judge ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, sentencing Ramirez to various terms of imprisonment on the different counts of the charges.

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