Crime, Maryland News, Police/Fire

Maryland man sentenced to 30 months for pet-selling, goods fraud scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A Maryland man was sentenced last week to 30 months in federal prison for his role in a wire fraud conspiracy that scammed victims out of nearly $1 million through fraudulent pet sales and non-delivery of agricultural goods.

Anomah Ndonwi, 32, of Chillum, will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Kelly O. Hayes.

Ndonwi conspired with others from at least September 2019 through December 2022 in a scheme that involved offering pets like dogs and horses for sale on the internet. Victims across the United States would make payments via wire transfer or electronic app but never received the promised animals or refunds.

The scheme also extended to the non-delivery of agricultural products, including meat. In these cases, victims, often representing foreign businesses, would pay for goods using interstate or international wire transfers but would never receive the products or a refund from the purported sellers.

Authorities said Ndonwi opened at least 14 bank accounts, primarily in Maryland, using fraudulent identifications to receive the illicit proceeds. At least 12 of these accounts were opened with fraudulent passports from the Republic of Cameroon, which featured Ndonwi’s photograph but an alias name.

In total, Ndonwi received at least $930,105 from the wire fraud conspiracy, which affected more than 10 victims.

The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang. David Richeson, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office for the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, joined Hayes in announcing the sentencing.

Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels

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