An American businessman, Marco Antonio Ramirez, has been sentenced to a total of 68 years in prison by Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, for his involvement in a $1.6 million visa fraud scheme. The judgment was delivered on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
Ramirez, alongside his companies—USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP—was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a $1.2 million EB-5 visa scam. He also faced separate charges for a $368,698.24 fraud.
The EFCC alleged that Ramirez fraudulently obtained funds from his victims under the guise of processing fees for investments in his company under the Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) United States Investor Programme, which promised eligibility for a U.S. Green Card. Ramirez, however, failed to fulfill these promises.
Initially arraigned on a 12-count charge, Ramirez pleaded “not guilty” but was later re-arraigned on June 24, 2022, on an amended 16-count charge.
The prosecution presented several documentary evidence and witnesses to support the charges. After multiple adjournments and the eventual adoption of final written addresses on May 8, 2024, Justice Dada concluded that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Ramirez was sentenced to 10 years each on counts one to 12 related to obtaining by false pretence and 10 years each on counts 13 to 16 for stealing. In a separate case, Ramirez was also found guilty of a nine-count charge involving a $368,698.24 fraud and received additional sentences of eight years each on counts one to six and 10 years each on counts seven to eight.
Justice Dada’s rulings underscore the court’s stance on fraudulent practices and the importance of accountability in financial dealings involving foreign investments.
