Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Scamming Victims

Rochester, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Stephen Odiboh, 53, of Georgia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

According to the plea agreement, between 2023 and March 2025, Odiboh conspired with co-conspirators to defraud four victims. The total loss and attempted loss were $356,500.

• In 2023, Odiboh contacted Victim 1, a 77-year-old woman in the Western District of New York, on Facebook. Posing as “Oliver Wilson,” he falsely represented that he was a United States Citizen, a widower, and currently living in Norway. Over the course of approximately a year and a half, “Wilson” fostered a romantic, online relationship, stating that he needed gift cards to “stay online” and continue talking. As a result, Victim 1 sent “Wilson” approximately 30 $500 gift cards, totaling approximately $15,000. In addition, between January and July of 2024, “Wilson” induced Victim 1 to mail eight checks totaling over $162,000.00 to specific individuals and entities, including two checks to Stephen Odiboh. In December 2024, “Wilson” stated that he was being held by customs authorities in Norway and needed to pay a fine of $158,000. He directed Victim 1 to mail two checks totaling $158,000.00 but Victim 1’s bank detected the fraud and stopped payment of the checks before they could be cashed.

• In April 2024, a co-conspirator contacted Victim 2, a caterer, claiming to be “Alex Alberto,” and in need of catering services. Victim 2 requested a deposit of $800. To pay the purported deposit, “Alberto” sent Victim 2 a check for $2,800, and instructed Victim 2 to cash the check and send the extra $2,000 to the defendant via Zelle. Victim 2 realized he was being defrauded and did not deposit the check.

• In 2024, a co-conspirator, claiming to be “William Rivera,” contacted Victim 3 through an online dating website. After gaining Victim 3’s trust, “Rivera” convinced Victim 3 to send $2,000 to Odiboh via CashApp, which Victim 3 did on August 14, 2024.

• In March 2025, a co-conspirator, claiming to be “Alec Jonas,” contacted Victim 4 on a dating website, leading Victim 4 to believe that they were starting a romantic relationship. Once he gained her trust, “Jonas” stated that he was working in Bahrain and needed money to ship goods from Bahrain to Texas, prompting Victim 4 to wire $17,525 to a bank account he controlled.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 8, 2026, before Judge Siragusa.