A Rhode Island woman, Jennifer O. Djan, has been convicted of a major crime involving money laundering. The 32-year-old Ghanian national, who lived in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, created a fake business to help hide millions of dollars stolen through scams. A federal jury found her guilty of money laundering conspiracy and several counts of money laundering after a six-day trial.
In September 2020, Jennifer Djan registered a fake business she claimed was a logistics company. However, this company had no real operations, no staff, and no business activity. It was all a cover to help move stolen money. Djan set up multiple bank accounts under her company’s name to receive and transfer the stolen funds.
Scammers in the United States tricked victims into sending them money, often by pretending to be someone trustworthy or by offering false promises of financial help or companionship. Once the victims sent their money, Djan would use her fake business accounts to receive it. She would quickly move the money out of those accounts—either to her co-conspirators in the U.S. or to others in Ghana.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that Djan frequently traveled between the United States and Ghana. When she traveled, she took fraud money with her or withdrew cash from her accounts while in Ghana. She also had someone in the U.S. retrieve checks for her and deposit them into her accounts while she was overseas.
The FBI and federal prosecutors revealed that Djan’s activities began shortly after she registered her fake business, and the fraudulent operations continued for over two years.
In November 2022, federal investigators searched Djan’s apartment in Pawtucket. This was where she claimed to be running her logistics business. However, no business records, equipment, or signs of a legitimate operation were found. The apartment was also shared with family members, which raised further questions about her claim of running a full-fledged business.
After the verdict, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha said, “By laundering money for a ring of scammers, this defendant played a critical role in helping fraudsters bilk innocent victims across the United States out of their hard-earned savings to enrich herself and her co-conspirators overseas.”
The FBI’s Complex Financial Crimes Task Force, along with the North Providence Police Department, conducted the investigation that led to Djan’s arrest and conviction. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julianne Klein and John P. McAdams.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of cracking down on financial crimes that harm innocent people and enrich criminals both in the U.S. and abroad.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the conviction of Jennifer O. Djan for money laundering highlights the critical need to combat financial crimes that victimize innocent individuals. It underscores the importance of holding individuals like Djan accountable for their actions. By uncovering and prosecuting such schemes, law enforcement agencies can protect the public from falling prey to fraudulent activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How did Jennifer O. Djan carry out the money laundering scheme?
Jennifer O. Djan registered a fake logistics company to receive and transfer stolen funds, which were obtained through various scams targeting victims in the United States. - What evidence was presented during the trial?
Evidence showed that Djan frequently traveled between the United States and Ghana, where she laundered money and engaged in fraudulent activities for over two years. - What penalties does Jennifer O. Djan face?
Jennifer O. Djan faces serious penalties for her role in the international money laundering scheme, with her sentencing scheduled for April 22, 2025. - How did authorities uncover the fraudulent operation?
Authorities searched Djan’s apartment in Pawtucket in November 2022 and found no evidence of legitimate business operations, prompting further investigation into her activities. - What role did Djan play in the money laundering scheme?
Djan played a critical role in helping fraudsters launder money obtained through scams, enriching herself and her co-conspirators overseas. - Who conducted the investigation that led to Djan’s arrest?
The FBI’s Complex Financial Crimes Task Force, along with the North Providence Police Department, conducted the investigation that resulted in Djan’s arrest and conviction. - What impact did Djan’s actions have on victims?
Djan’s actions victimized individuals across the United States, who were tricked into sending money to scammers under false pretenses. - How long did the fraudulent operations continue?
The fraudulent operations orchestrated by Djan continued for over two years, during which she laundered millions of dollars obtained through fraudulent activities. - What was the significance of the guilty verdict?
The guilty verdict underscored the importance of holding individuals like Djan accountable for engaging in financial crimes that harm innocent individuals and enrich criminals. - What message did officials convey after the verdict?
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha and FBI Special Agent Jodi Cohen emphasized the importance of cracking down on financial crimes to protect the public from falling victim to fraudulent schemes.Tags: money laundering, fraud, financial crimes, FBI, conviction, sentencing, scam, international scheme, logistics company, investigation, guilty verdict, penalties, arrest, money transfer, fake business, fraudulent activities, victims, law enforcement.
