BOISE, ID — Two defendants are facing federal charges after a grand jury returned an indictment alleging a multimillion-dollar fraud and money laundering scheme that targeted an Idaho business owner.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho, Tochukwu Nwaneri, 51, of Nigeria, made his initial appearance Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond E. Patricco. His co-defendant, Vickie Smith, 66, of Peoria, Arizona, previously appeared in court on October 22.

Federal prosecutors allege the pair conspired to carry out an advance-fee loan scheme that fraudulently obtained more than $20 million from a single Idaho victim. The indictment charges Smith and Nwaneri with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering.

Court documents allege Smith used the alias “Nina Cheliyan,” while Nwaneri allegedly went by “Dr. Simon Godwin.” Prosecutors claim the defendants falsely promised to secure a $140 million business loan through what they represented as a Singapore-based lender, in exchange for substantial advance fees.

Investigators allege the victim paid the fees believing the financing was legitimate, but instead the funds were allegedly used for personal expenses and transferred to family members and offshore bank accounts.

If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the conspiracy and wire fraud charges, and up to 10 years for each count involving monetary transactions in criminally derived property. Sentencing would be determined by a federal judge after considering sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

The United States Secret Service is investigating the case. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittney Campbell and Darci Crane.

An indictment is an allegation only, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.