Barbara Segura
pleaded guilty Thursday to participating in the same Nigerian money scam
to which she had fallen victim, she told a federal judge.
In the U.S.
District Court, Rock Island, the 58-year-old East Moline woman entered
guilty pleas to counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire
fraud.
Asked by Judge Sara Darrow to recount her crime, Ms. Segura said she was approached on Facebook by someone who promised her a grant if she would send initial fees.
Ms. Segura said she and boyfriend, Frederico Sausedo, 49, sent about $1,800, but never received the promised grant. Afraid she would lose her chance to obtain the grant, the amount of which was not disclosed in court, Ms. Segura said she maintained contact with those involved in the scheme.
She told Judge Darrow that, although the situation seemed "fishy," she eventually "got caught up in it."
Ms. Segura said she opened a bank account, where victims of the scam were directed to send payments via wire transfers. She said Thursday she sent the proceeds overseas and, at the time, believed the money was intended to help build an orphanage.
U.S. Attorney Micah Reyner said that from early 2014 through at least February, African-based co-conspirators used Facebook to target victims, falsely claiming to offer money in the form of grants and prizes in exchange for first sending "fees."
Ms. Segura and her boyfriend were initially victims of this scheme, Mr. Reyner said, even reporting the scam to police.
However, at some point, Ms. Segura became a "knowing participant," agreeing to help the same people who had previously defrauded her, Mr. Reyner said.
He said Ms. Segura acted as an "intermediate," wiring victims' money to people in co-conspirators in Africa and elsewhere. At least one victim mailed $15,000 in check and cash payments to Ms. Segura and her boyfriend, according to court records.
None of the promised grants or prizes were ever received by victims of the scheme, prosecutors said. A total loss of about $100,000 was reported, according to court records.
As part of the plea agreement, Ms. Segura has agreed to cooperate with authorities, including testifying before a grand jury or other hearings as called to do so.
Ms. Segura, who appeared in court Thursday in a gray shirt and blue jeans, was allowed to remain out of custody pending an April 14 sentencing date.
A case remains pending in U.S. District Court, Rock Island, for Mr. Sausedo, who is in federal custody and is scheduled for a Jan. 8 competency hearing.
Asked by Judge Sara Darrow to recount her crime, Ms. Segura said she was approached on Facebook by someone who promised her a grant if she would send initial fees.
Ms. Segura said she and boyfriend, Frederico Sausedo, 49, sent about $1,800, but never received the promised grant. Afraid she would lose her chance to obtain the grant, the amount of which was not disclosed in court, Ms. Segura said she maintained contact with those involved in the scheme.
She told Judge Darrow that, although the situation seemed "fishy," she eventually "got caught up in it."
Ms. Segura said she opened a bank account, where victims of the scam were directed to send payments via wire transfers. She said Thursday she sent the proceeds overseas and, at the time, believed the money was intended to help build an orphanage.
U.S. Attorney Micah Reyner said that from early 2014 through at least February, African-based co-conspirators used Facebook to target victims, falsely claiming to offer money in the form of grants and prizes in exchange for first sending "fees."
Ms. Segura and her boyfriend were initially victims of this scheme, Mr. Reyner said, even reporting the scam to police.
However, at some point, Ms. Segura became a "knowing participant," agreeing to help the same people who had previously defrauded her, Mr. Reyner said.
He said Ms. Segura acted as an "intermediate," wiring victims' money to people in co-conspirators in Africa and elsewhere. At least one victim mailed $15,000 in check and cash payments to Ms. Segura and her boyfriend, according to court records.
None of the promised grants or prizes were ever received by victims of the scheme, prosecutors said. A total loss of about $100,000 was reported, according to court records.
As part of the plea agreement, Ms. Segura has agreed to cooperate with authorities, including testifying before a grand jury or other hearings as called to do so.
Ms. Segura, who appeared in court Thursday in a gray shirt and blue jeans, was allowed to remain out of custody pending an April 14 sentencing date.
A case remains pending in U.S. District Court, Rock Island, for Mr. Sausedo, who is in federal custody and is scheduled for a Jan. 8 competency hearing.
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