NJ Man Sentenced For Laundering Money Through Internet-Based Scams

EDISON, NJ — A New Jersey man was sentenced to time in prison for laundering money obtained from a variety of internet-based scams, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said.

Kenny Osas Okuonghae, 38, of Edison, was sentenced to 51 months of incarceration by U.S. District Judge Georgette Casner on Thursday.

Judge Castner also ordered three years of supervised release and $1,275,190 in restitution, Frazer said.

Okuonghae previously pleaded guilty before Judge Castner on April 29, 2025, to count one of an indictment charging him with conspiring to commit money laundering.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, from 2019 through December 2023, Okuonghae laundered money that was obtained from a variety of internet-related scams, including property rental scams, romance scams, and a “pig butchering” scam, Frazer said.

• Read More: 'Pig Butchering,' Romance Scams End In Charges For Edison Man: Feds

“Pig butchering” refers to an internet scheme where a romance scam victim develops what the victim perceives to be a romantic relationship online with the perpetrator.

The perpetrator emotionally “fattens” the victim up before enticing them to invest in a fake scheme and then, metaphorically, “slaughters” the victim by taking their money.

Okuonghae opened up several bank accounts across at least seven different banks and permitted the proceeds of criminal activity to be deposited into and transferred out of these accounts, authorities said.

Frazer credited special agents of the FBI’s Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, with the investigation leading to the sentence.

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• 'Pig Butchering,' Romance Scams End In Charges For Edison Man: Feds