Close Menu

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Ex- Arsenal Star, Thomas Partey Charged With Rape

    July 4, 2025

    Verghis Takes Over As World Bank Country Director For Nigeria

    July 4, 2025

    Court Orders Senate To Recall Natasha From Suspension

    July 4, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Ex- Arsenal Star, Thomas Partey Charged With Rape
    • Verghis Takes Over As World Bank Country Director For Nigeria
    • Court Orders Senate To Recall Natasha From Suspension
    • Why Peter Obi Should Be ADCโ€™s Presidential Candidate โ€“ Datti
    • ADC: Coalition Leaders Are Gangs Of Failed And Expired Politicians โ€“ Wike
    • Sanwo-Olu Mourns As Super Eagles Legend, Peter Rufai Dies At 61
    • Donโ€™t Be Deceived By ADCโ€™s Antics, Presidency Tells Nigerians
    • We Are Devastated By Diogo Jotaโ€™s Death โ€“ Liverpool FC Mourns
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    TheScrutinyNG
    Subscribe
    Saturday, July 5
    • Home
    • Politics
    • Business
    • News
      • World News
    • Sports
    • Interviews
    • Opinion
    • Entertainment
    • Columnists
    • ABOUT US
    TheScrutinyNG
    Home ยป Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud in U.S. Romance Scam
    3 Mins ReadMarch 4, 2025

    Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud in U.S. Romance Scam

    By Amina MohammedMarch 4, 2025No Comments3 Mins Read
    Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    A 47-year-old Nigerian man, Darlington Akporugo, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy related to a nationwide romance scam, U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced.

    According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Akporugo played a key role in a complex scheme based in Houston, targeting victims from Chicago to Kentucky. He and his accomplices lured individuals into fraudulent online relationships, ultimately convincing them to transfer money into accounts under their control.

    Authorities revealed that Akporugo, who is in the U.S. illegally, entered his guilty plea in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. He admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, as well as aiding and abetting in an elaborate scheme that defrauded over 25 victims, most of whom were elderly or retired.

    โ€œThis individual and his co-conspirators preyed on the vulnerability of the elderly and recently widowed to defraud them of their hard-earned life savings,โ€ said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz.

    โ€œThanks to the victims who bravely came forward to report this matter to law enforcement and the outstanding relationships that we have with our domestic and law enforcement partners abroad, we were able to expose this reprehensible scheme and hold the criminals involved in it accountable.โ€

    Investigators disclosed that Akporugo, who was arrested just a month before his planned wedding, used fake identities to reach out to victims on social media. He built trust before manipulating them into sending money for fabricated business ventures or personal emergencies.

    As part of his plea agreement, Akporugo admitted to using platforms like Facebook to solicit victims and instructing them to deposit funds into accounts controlled by him and his co-conspirators. Much of the stolen money was then funneled overseas.

    Beyond wire transfers, Akporugo also convinced victims to open lines of credit in his name and, in at least one instance, purchase a luxury vehicle for his personal use.

    Authorities estimate that the total losses from the scheme exceed $3 million.

    โ€œAs we unfortunately have seen, victims of romance scams suffer tremendous financial loss, sometimes amounting to their entire life savings,โ€ said Ganjei.

    โ€œThose who have fallen prey to such fraudsters are often too embarrassed to come forward and report the incident to law enforcement. Although this is an understandable reaction, we encourage victims to nonetheless come forward, as their story may help the future victimization of others.โ€

    Akporugo is scheduled for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge on June 6. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

    He will remain in custody until his sentencing hearing.

    In May 2024, Akporugo and his fiancรฉe, Jasmin Sood, were arrested just days before their wedding in Houston, Texas. The couple was accused of running a seven-year scheme that targeted widowed victims through social media and dating platforms.

    Author

    • Amina Mohammed
      Amina Mohammed

      View all posts
    Darlington Akporugo ICE Immigration and Customs Enforcement Nicholas J. Ganjei U.S.
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Amina Mohammed

    Related Posts

    Featured

    Ex- Arsenal Star, Thomas Partey Charged With Rape

    July 4, 2025
    Featured

    Court Orders Senate To Recall Natasha From Suspension

    July 4, 2025
    Featured

    Why Peter Obi Should Be ADCโ€™s Presidential Candidate โ€“ Datti

    July 4, 2025
    Featured

    ADC: Coalition Leaders Are Gangs Of Failed And Expired Politicians โ€“ Wike

    July 4, 2025
    Featured

    Sanwo-Olu Mourns As Super Eagles Legend, Peter Rufai Dies At 61

    July 3, 2025
    Featured

    Donโ€™t Be Deceived By ADCโ€™s Antics, Presidency Tells Nigerians

    July 3, 2025

    Subscribe to News

    Get the latest sports news from NewsSite about world, sports and politics.

    Editor's Picks

    Ex- Arsenal Star, Thomas Partey Charged With Rape

    July 4, 2025

    Verghis Takes Over As World Bank Country Director For Nigeria

    July 4, 2025

    Court Orders Senate To Recall Natasha From Suspension

    July 4, 2025

    Why Peter Obi Should Be ADCโ€™s Presidential Candidate โ€“ Datti

    July 4, 2025
    Latest Posts
    Advertisement
    Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest Vimeo WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

    News

    • World
    • US Politics
    • EU Politics
    • Business
    • Opinions
    • Connections
    • Science

    Company

    • Information
    • Advertising
    • Classified Ads
    • Contact Info
    • Do Not Sell Data
    • GDPR Policy
    • Media Kits

    Services

    • Subscriptions
    • Customer Support
    • Bulk Packages
    • Newsletters
    • Sponsored News
    • Work With Us

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    ยฉ 2025 The Scrutiny. Designed by Design Streams.

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms
    • Accessibility

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.