Lagos court jails American businessman 74 years over $1.6m fraud

A Lagos high court has sentenced an American businessman, Marco Antonio Ramirez, to 74 years in prison following charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Ramirez was convicted of defrauding investors of $1.2 million in a visa scam and $368,698.24 in a separate fraud case.

Justice Mojisola Dada found that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Ramirez was initially arraigned on a 12-count charge and later re-arraigned on a 16-count charge on June 24, 2022.

The EFCC alleged that Ramirez, along with his companies, USA Now LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, was involved in an alleged $1,235,000 EB-5 visa scam.

The defendants were accused of obtaining money from investors as processing fees for their investments in USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, promising them eligibility for the issuance of a USA Green Card under the Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) United States of America Investor Programme. However, it was alleged that Ramirez failed to fulfil this promise.

During the trial, the prosecution presented documentary evidence and witnesses to prove the allegations.

Ramirez pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The case faced several adjournments before the final addresses were adopted, and the judge delivered the verdict.

Ramirez was found guilty on multiple counts of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing in relation to the visa scam.

In a separate amended charge, he was found guilty of an alleged $368,698.24 fraud.

The court sentenced him to various terms of imprisonment on the different counts of the charges.

Parts of the charge read that “Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, on or about the 26th day of July 2013 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $250,000 from Gabriel Ogie Edeoghon under the false representation that the sum was his investment in your company: USA NOW Energy Capital Group LP in the Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) United States of America Investor Programme, which investment would qualify him to be eligible to a USA Green Card, and which representation you knew to be false.”

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