Georgia and Florida Residents Convicted for Major Cyber Fraud Schemes
Attorney General Chris Carr announced today that Ugochinyere Anazodo, 46, of Gwinnett County, Georgia, and Dominique Beaulieu, 45, of Windermere, Florida, have been convicted and sentenced for their involvement in extensive cyber fraud schemes. The defendants were found guilty of various charges, including Racketeering, Theft by Taking, and Money Laundering.
The fraud schemes included Business Email Compromise (BEC), romance and confidence fraud, inheritance fraud, and identity theft. Notably, the Georgia Department of Transportation was tricked into paying a legitimate vendor’s invoices to the defendants after the vendor fell victim to a BEC scam. Additionally, Anazodo received funds from a private citizen through four separate business bank accounts established using stolen identities of Georgia residents.
According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), Georgia victims lost over $300 million to cyber fraud in 2023. Victims in this case shared their experiences during sentencing, highlighting the profound impact of these crimes.
Attorney General Carr emphasized the ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime in Georgia. “This case is another example of our commitment to addressing the evolving threat of cyber fraud and protecting Georgia businesses and consumers,” he said.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Laura D. Pfister and Assistant Attorney General Charles Van Keuren, with investigations conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Office of the Inspector General.
GBI Director Chris Hosey and State Inspector General Nigel Lange both underscored their agencies’ dedication to tackling cyber fraud and holding perpetrators accountable. FBI Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley also reiterated the importance of vigilance against online scams.
Convictions and Sentences
- Ugochinyere Anazodo:
- Found guilty of 2 counts of Racketeering, 1 count of Theft by Taking, and 1 count of Money Laundering on Aug. 29, 2024.
- Sentenced to 20 years, with the first 10 years to be served in prison.
- Ordered to pay restitution of $1,174,928.79.
- Dominique Beaulieu:
- Pleaded guilty to 2 counts of Racketeering.
- Sentenced to 5 years, with the first 2 years to be served in prison.
- Ordered to pay restitution.
Tips for Avoiding Scams
Victims of cyber fraud, including BEC or romance scams, should file reports with their financial provider, local law enforcement, and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.IC3.gov.
For more information on avoiding scams, visit www.ic3.gov and the Georgia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division website, which offers resources such as:
- Cybersecurity in Georgia: A Guide for Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Places of Worship.
- The Georgia Consumer Protection Guide for Older Adults.
The Attorney General’s White Collar and Cyber Crime Unit is part of the Prosecution Division, which also includes units for Human Trafficking, Gang Prosecution, and Organized Retail Crime.
