Nigerian Man ‘Black Mentor’ Sentenced to 4 Years in U.S. Prison for Defra¥ding 39 Investors of Over $2.7 Million

A Nigerian man, Joseph James Nantomah, 49, also known as The Black Mentor,has been sentenced to 48 months in prison in the United States for an investment fra¥d scheme that caused more than $2.7 million in losses to investors.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Nantomah entered the US from Nigeria on a visitor’s visa in 2016 and later created a false online persona claiming he had built a multimillion dollar real estate business.

He hosted Wealth Flow conferences and classes, where he presented himself as an expert in building wealth in America and persuaded attendees to invest in his supposed real estate ventures.

Between May 2020 and December 2024, Nantomah defra¥ded at least 39 victims of $2,762,798.37. Prosecutors said he primarily targeted Nigerian immigrants and members of his church, using their shared cultural background and belief in the American Dream to gain their trust.

Although he promised substantial returns from real estate investments, authorities said he had no legitimate real estate business and instead spent victims’ money on private jets, luxury cars, expensive jewellery, a yacht and other lavish expenses. He also allegedly used the money to build his online image, including purchasing honorary doctorate degrees for himself and his wife and paying celebrities to attend his conferences.

At sentencing, Judge Lynn Adelman said the scheme went on for a long time, caused substantial loss, and dramatically impacted the lives of numerous victims.

Nantomah was also ordered to pay $2,762,798.37 in restitution and will serve three years of supervised release after prison.

U.S. officials said the victims were largely working class immigrants who suffered significant financial harm.

“fra¥d like this runs on trust. Nantomah sold his victims the promise of opportunity, then used their hard earned money to fund his own expenses and keep his scheme afloat,” IRS official Robert J. Kuszynski said.