A Rhode Island woman, Jennifer O. Djan, has been convicted of a major crime involving money laundering. The 32-year-old Ghanian national, who lived in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, created a fake business to help hide millions of dollars stolen through scams. A federal jury found her guilty of money laundering conspiracy and several counts of money laundering after a six-day trial.
The jury made their decision after four and a half hours of deliberation. Djan is now awaiting her sentencing, which is scheduled for April 22, 2025. She faces serious penalties for her role in this international scheme.
How the Scheme Worked
In September 2020, Jennifer Djan registered a fake business she claimed was a logistics company. However, this company had no real operations, no staff, and no business activity. It was all a cover to help move stolen money. Djan set up multiple bank accounts under her company’s name to receive and transfer the stolen funds.
Scammers in the United States tricked victims into sending them money, often by pretending to be someone trustworthy or by offering false promises of financial help or companionship. Once the victims sent their money, Djan would use her fake business accounts to receive it. She would quickly move the money out of those accounts—either to her co-conspirators in the U.S. or to others in Ghana.
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Evidence presented during the trial showed that Djan frequently traveled between the United States and Ghana. When she traveled, she took fraud money with her or withdrew cash from her accounts while in Ghana. She also had someone in the U.S. retrieve checks for her and deposit them into her accounts while she was overseas.
The FBI and federal prosecutors revealed that Djan’s activities began shortly after she registered her fake business, and the fraudulent operations continued for over two years.
No Evidence of Legitimate Work Found
In November 2022, federal investigators searched Djan’s apartment in Pawtucket. This was where she claimed to be running her logistics business. However, no business records, equipment, or signs of a legitimate operation were found. The apartment was also shared with family members, which raised further questions about her claim of running a full-fledged business.
Authorities explained that Djan’s fake business was a key part of an international scam that victimized people across the United States. The money she laundered ended up enriching herself and her co-conspirators overseas, many of whom were based in Ghana.
During the trial, the evidence showed that large sums of money flowed into Djan’s business accounts, only to be moved out within days. This made it clear that the accounts were not being used for legitimate business purposes but rather to hide the origins of stolen funds.
Statements from Officials
After the verdict, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha said, “By laundering money for a ring of scammers, this defendant played a critical role in helping fraudsters bilk innocent victims across the United States out of their hard-earned savings to enrich herself and her co-conspirators overseas.”
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Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, added, “Jennifer Djan not only conspired with others who blatantly defrauded unsuspecting victims across the country, but she also tried to conceal her criminal cash flow by laundering millions of dollars.”
Both officials thanked the jury for its swift decision and emphasized the importance of holding individuals like Djan accountable for their actions.
Investigation and Arrest
The FBI’s Complex Financial Crimes Task Force, along with the North Providence Police Department, conducted the investigation that led to Djan’s arrest and conviction. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julianne Klein and John P. McAdams.
After the jury returned its guilty verdict, Djan was ordered to be detained until her sentencing. Her punishment will be determined by a federal judge, who will consider various factors, including U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of cracking down on financial crimes that harm innocent people and enrich criminals both in the U.S. and abroad.
