A 47-year-old Nigerian national, Darlington Akporugo, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy charges. According to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei, Akporugo was involved in a romance scam that targeted victims across the United States.
The scam primarily targeted elderly individuals, with victims identified in multiple states, including Chicago and Kentucky. Akporugo admitted to playing a central role in the long-running scam. Akporugo and his accomplices used fake identities to connect with victims on social media platforms. They gained the trust of their victims before persuading them to invest in fictitious businesses or provide financial assistance for fabricated emergencies.
The investigation revealed that Akporugo primarily approached victims through Facebook and directed them to send funds to his accounts or those of his associates. The money was often transferred overseas.In addition to collecting cash and wire transfers, Akporugo also convinced victims to open lines of credit in his name. In at least one case, he persuaded a victim to purchase a luxury vehicle for his personal use.
The multi-year investigation identified over 25 victims, most of whom were retired or elderly. The fraudulent operation resulted in losses exceeding $3 million.Akporugo is set to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge on June 6. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.
The sentencing will mark the culmination of a lengthy investigation into the romance scam. Authorities have worked to bring those involved in the scam to justice and provide support to the victims.
Source : https://www.vanguardngr.com/
