A Nigerian socialite, Darlington Akporugo, who was arrested alongside his fiancee, days to their wedding ceremony has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy in connection with a nationwide romance scam.
This was disclosed by US Attorney, Nicholas J. Ganjei.
According to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, on Monday, the 47-year-old played a central role in an elaborate scheme based in Houston that preyed on victims from Chicago to Kentucky.
Working with accomplices, he lured individuals into fraudulent online relationships, eventually convincing them to send money to bank accounts under his control.
According to ICE, Akporugo, who is an illegal immigrant in the US, pleaded guilty in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, as well as wire fraud, aiding, and abetting in an elaborate scheme that involved more than 25 victims, the majority of whom were either retired or elderly.
“This individual and his co-conspirators preyed on the vulnerability of the elderly and recently widowed to defraud them of their hard-earned life savings.
“Thanks 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,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz.
Authorities revealed that Akporugo, arrested just a month before his wedding, used fake identities to contact victims on social media, build trust, and then manipulate them into sending funds for fictitious business ventures or fabricated personal emergencies.
As part of his plea agreement, Akporugo admitted to soliciting victims primarily through platforms like Facebook and directing them to deposit money into accounts belonging to him or his co-conspirators.
Much of the stolen money was then funneled overseas.
Beyond cash and 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.
During a multi-year investigation, conducted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, authorities identified more than 25 victims, most of them elderly or retired.
The scam’s total losses exceed $3 million.
“As we unfortunately have seen, victims of romance scams suffer tremendous financial loss, sometimes amounting to their entire life savings.
“Those 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,” said Ganjei.
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 maximum fine of $250,000.
He will remain in custody pending hearing.
In May 2024, a highly anticipated wedding took an unexpected turn when the bride and groom, Darlington Akporugo, 46, and Jasmin Sood, 35, were arrested just days before their ceremony.
The couple faces charges of defrauding elderly Americans out of more than $3 million through online romance scams.
According to details from their wedding website, the ceremony was set for May 25, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas revealed that Akporugo and Sood allegedly orchestrated a seven-year scheme, preying on widowed victims through social media and dating platforms.
