BOISE, Idaho – Two people are facing charges for scamming more than $20 million from an Idaho business owner, according to the District of Idaho United States Attorney’s Office.
The office said it was charging Tochukwu Nwaneri and Vickie Smith for their role in an advance-fee loan scheme. Their charges are for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering.
Smith made her first appearance for her charges on October 22, 2025 and Nwaneri made his first appearance on December 16, 2025.
According to the office’s accusation, Smith used the false name Nina Cheliyan and Nwaneri used the false name Dr. Simon Godwin. The two falsely promised the Idaho business owner a financing opportunity of a $140 million business loan through a purported Singapore-based lender in exchange for a large advancement fee.
The office accused Smith and Nwaneri of using the fees paid by the business owner for personal expenses and wired portions of the funds to family members and offshore bank accounts.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittney Campbell and Darci Crane for the District of Idaho are prosecuting Smith and Nwaneri, who could receive a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison plus up to ten years for each count of criminal monetary transactions.
The United States Secret Service is investigating the case.
