Nigerian, wife sentenced for $3m romance scam targeting US seniors

A Nigerian illegal alien and his wife have been sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme that preyed on elderly Americans, leaving some emotionally shattered and financially devastated.

Darlington Akporugo, 47, and his wife, Jasmin Sood, 37, were sentenced in late June to more than 15 and 10 years behind bars, respectively, according to a recent report from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Both were reportedly residing in Houston illegally.

Akporugo, identified as the ringleader, was sentenced to 188 months, while Sood received 121 months.

Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after running a years-long scam that conned elderly victims—many of them widows—out of more than $3 million.

Upon release, both will serve three years of supervised release and have been ordered to repay the full amount stolen.

“Romance scams and other financial schemes like this exploit our nation’s elderly and vulnerable populations out of their hard-earned retirement savings,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston Special Agent Chad Plantz.

“They are often left emotionally devastated and financially ruined, with limited options for recovery once the money has been laundered out of the U.S.,” Plantz added.

Court records indicate Akporugo posed as a romantic interest online, using fake names and stories to convince older women to send him money, purchase luxury goods, and open lines of credit.

In one instance, a victim was convinced to purchase a luxury vehicle and rent a mansion—both of which the couple used for themselves.

Authorities eventually arrested the couple while they were driving the car and living in the rented home funded by one of their victims.

Victims described being manipulated with elaborate lies and false promises, only to watch their life savings disappear.

Law enforcement identified more than 25 victims across the country, from Chicago to Kentucky. The stolen funds were funneled through shell companies and hidden accounts that Sood helped create using aliases and disguises, according to ICE.