Lagos Man Sentenced in U.S. for Online Romance Scam

A Lagos-based man, Daniel Chima Inweregbu, has been sentenced to 33 months in a U.S. federal prison for his involvement in a sophisticated wire fraud and romance scam targeting American women.

Inweregbu, 40, who was extradited from the United Kingdom to the United States to face trial, was also ordered to pay $166,400 in restitution, a $100 special assessment fee, and serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment.

The scheme involved building trust with the victims before requesting money under false pretenses. The funds were sent to domestic bank accounts, and authorities said the group used complex transactions to launder the money and hide its origin.

In addition to wire and mail fraud, Inweregbu pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and using a fictitious identity to carry out fraudulent schemes. The guilty plea contributed to the U.S. District Court’s decision to impose the prison sentence.

Federal prosecutors described the scam as a calculated exploitation of emotional vulnerabilities, noting that the victims were deliberately manipulated to extract large sums of money.

Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown emphasized that the sentence reflects the seriousness of international online fraud and the U.S. government’s commitment to pursuing perpetrators across borders.

Authorities continue to investigate similar schemes, urging potential victims to remain vigilant online and report suspicious activity promptly.