Sherlyn Sims, also known as "Sherlyn Dzinzi," was found guilty by a jury of conspiring to launder and laundering proceeds from romance fraud scams and business email compromise schemes. These crimes resulted in more than $1.2 million being diverted to bank accounts controlled by Sims, who then transferred, withdrew, and spent the funds.
"The fraud schemes that Sims perpetrated in this case have become an epidemic in this country," stated U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. "Our vulnerable elderly population are often targeted in these crimes, resulting in significant financial loss and unimaginable emotional suffering. The jury’s verdict has ended Sims’s attempts to evade culpability for the role that she played in carrying out these schemes."
"This case serves as a reminder of the sophisticated methods employed by criminals and the need for vigilance in the digital age," said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley. "The consequences of this type of fraud scheme are far-reaching, affecting not only people here in Georgia but also around the world."
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, Sherlyn Sims was charged with conspiracy and money laundering related to funds stolen from dozens of victims between December 2019 and August 2020. Sims and her co-defendants registered sham businesses, including Grace Trading, LLC, which had no legitimate earnings or physical premises.
After registering these businesses, they opened business bank accounts at various financial institutions. For example, two days after Grace Trading was registered with the Georgia Secretary of State, Sims opened accounts at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank and Bank of America. Shortly thereafter, approximately $200,000 was deposited into Grace Trading's accounts by fraud victims. Sims quickly wired the proceeds to foreign countries and withdrew cash from the accounts.
Over seven months, more than $1.2 million from romance scams and business email compromise schemes were deposited into these accounts. One incident involved a scam where a victim sent an earnest money deposit for a new home purchase to Grace Trading's account.
Multiple romance fraud victims testified at trial about being convinced they were in romantic relationships with men they met online but never met in person. One victim sent nearly $100,000 to one of Sims’s accounts because her supposed boyfriend claimed he was detained by customs officials.
Sherlyn Sims is scheduled for sentencing on November 5, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones.
Co-defendant Bright Eigbedion is scheduled for sentencing on August 29, 2024; he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on March 27, 2024.
Co-defendant Presley Ihimekpen was sentenced on August 1, 2024, to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution.
This case is investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex R. Sistla and Kelly K. Connors.
The U.S Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is part of the Department of Justice Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force focusing on foreign-based fraud schemes targeting American seniors.
For further information contact the U.S Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.
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