U.S. court jails Nigerian fraudster 15 years over $1.5m romance scam

A U.S. federal court has sentenced Nigerian national Saheed Sunday Owolabi to 15 years in prison for his role in a $1.5 million wire fraud and money laundering scheme targeting victims in the United States.

The sentencing, announced on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Justice, followed his conviction on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

According to prosecutors, Owolabi was part of a network that defrauded victims through online deception, transferring illicit proceeds across borders.

Romance scam scheme exploited victims through fake identities

Investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation revealed that Owolabi posed as a woman online to build romantic relationships with unsuspecting victims, a tactic commonly known as a romance scam.

After gaining their trust, he persuaded victims to transfer money into accounts under his control, which he subsequently laundered to Nigeria. Authorities said the operation involved multiple victims, with at least one individual in the Eastern District of North Carolina losing over $120,000.

Prosecutors also disclosed that the syndicate used victims’ bank accounts to move funds linked to other fraudulent activities, expanding the scale of the operation beyond direct romance scams.

U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle described Owolabi as a “cheat,” adding that the conviction highlights ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to dismantle international fraud and money laundering networks targeting American citizens.

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The case marks another instance of cross-border cybercrime involving Nigerian nationals being prosecuted and convicted in the United States, as law enforcement agencies intensify crackdowns on financial fraud schemes.