Lagos Court Sentences American Businessman to 74 Years for $1.2 Million Visa Fraud

The Lagos State Special Offenses Court has sentenced American businessman Marco Antonio Ramirez to 74 years in jail for scamming many victims out of $1.2 million through a visa scam. Ramirez assured investors that their money would get them U.S. Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) visas, which offer a route to permanent residency, through his businesses USA Now LLC and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP. Ramirez took the money and used it for his own purposes instead.

The case was pursued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and it was discovered that Ramirez engaged in fraudulent activity from February to April of 2013. Godson Echegile, a well-known victim, lost $545,000. Additionally, Ramirez was found guilty in a different case worth $368,698.

Ramirez was found guilty by Judge Mojisola Dada on two combined charges that the EFCC had brought against him. The prosecution has proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, the court ruled. For the first charge, Ramirez was given ten years for each of counts seven and eight and eight years for each of charges one through six. He received ten-year sentences on counts one through twelve of the second charge for acquiring money under false pretenses and ten-year sentences on charges thirteen through sixteen for theft.

By promising them access to the EB-5 visa program, victims were tricked by Ramirez and his enterprises, including Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP, according to information disclosed by the EFCC. Ramirez invested the money for himself rather than using it as promised.

“The convict dishonestly converted the money meant for investments to his personal use,” Judge Dada declared. The prosecution has effectively demonstrated that the money was gained through deception and that the assurances given to the victims were untrue.

After being accused with twelve counts of fraud first, Ramirez was re-arrested on sixteen charges. He was found guilty as a result of the prosecution’s strong documentary case and witness testimony throughout the trial.

On July 26, 2013, Ramirez was found guilty in a similar case of cheating Gabriel Ogie Edeoghon out of $250,000. Ramirez made up the story that Edeoghon would be eligible for a U.S. Green Card if the funds were invested in USA Now Energy Capital Group LP. For this offense, Ramirez was given additional sentences of eight years on counts one through six and ten years on counts seven and eight.