Worcester, Massachusetts – Sunna Sepetu, a 37-year-old Tanzanian citizen residing in Worcester, Massachusetts, has been found guilty of money laundering in the United States and faces up to 20 years in prison.
Sepetu, who is the sister of 2006 Miss Tanzania Wema Sepetu, was convicted alongside her accomplice, Nafise Quaye (47) of Nigeria. The pair were involved in transferring roughly $3.2 million (over TZS 8 billion) obtained from a Texas-based fraud victim between 2013 and 2019.
Court Judge Samantha Elliot delivered the verdict after an eight-day trial and has scheduled the sentencing of both defendants for July 8, 2024.
Sepetu and Quaye utilized various online methods to move the illicit funds, including bank accounts, money transfer services, and mobile payments.
Investigations revealed that Sepetu received approximately $1.4 million (over TZS 3 billion) from the victim, while Quaye received approximately $1.8 million (over TZS 4 billion).
This conviction is a significant setback for Sepetu and her family. It sends a strong message to criminals who use the United States as a conduit for laundering illegally obtained funds.
