A Nigerian man, Darlington Akporugo, faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 after pleading guilty on February 28 to charges linked to a romance scam that defrauded victims of over $3 million, many of whom were elderly.
This information was published by the United States Customs and Immigration Enforcement on its website.
Akporugo was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, as well as wire fraud, aiding, and abetting.
His case, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Carter in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, identified him as a 47-year-old criminal alien from Nigeria.
The scheme was the subject of a multi-year investigation conducted by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
During his guilty plea, Akporugo admitted to playing a key role in a long-running romance scam based in Houston, which targeted victims from Chicago to Kentucky.
He and his co-conspirators used fake identities to build online relationships, gain victims’ trust, and convince them to transfer money into bank accounts he controlled.
According to prosecutors, Akporugo and his associates convinced victims to invest in nonexistent businesses or provide financial support for fabricated personal emergencies.
“As part of his plea, Akporugo admitted to approaching potential victims, primarily on social media sites such as Facebook, and then directing them to send money to either his or his associates’ bank accounts. That money was often then directed overseas,” a statement from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement read.
In addition to collecting cash and wire transfers, Akporugo also admitted to persuading victims to open lines of credit in his name and, in one instance, having a victim purchase a luxury vehicle for his personal use.
Authorities identified more than 25 victims of the scheme, most of whom were elderly or retired.
Akporugo is scheduled to be sentenced on June 6 and will remain in custody until his hearing.
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