In a decisive legal outcome, Kenyan national Paul Maucha, 59, has been sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison for orchestrating an advance fee and investment fraud scheme that deceived numerous victims. Court documents and trial evidence revealed that Maucha, in collaboration with a co-conspirator, utilized a shell company under his control, American Eagle Services Group Inc. (AESG), to execute the scheme.
Through AESG, Maucha made several false representations to victims regarding the company’s assets and its ability to provide loans. Victims seeking loans were required to pay an advance fee, which was misrepresented by AESG. The company assured the victims that these fees could be refunded if the loans were not funded. However, it was proven at trial that Maucha and his co-conspirator were aware that AESG lacked the necessary capital to issue the loans. Instead of securing loans, they split the advance fees and spent them, leaving no funds available for refunds.
On February 1, a federal jury found Maucha guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and one count of engaging in monetary transactions with criminally derived property.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia, and Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley of the FBI Atlanta Field Office jointly announced Maucha’s sentencing.
This case underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to prosecuting individuals who engage in fraudulent activities that undermine trust and exploit victims for financial gain.
