A Nigerian man confessed in a U.S. courtroom to running a romance scam that cheated several Americans out of over $400,000.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Louisiana revealed that on August 21, Daniel Chima Inweregbu, who lived in Lagos, admitted to the crimes before Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown.
Inweregbu owned up to plotting mail fraud, wire fraud, pretending to be someone else, and money laundering.
Official records indicate that between July 2017 and December 2018, Inweregbu and his partners ran the scam. They used fake profiles on social media and dating sites, masquerading as “Larry Pham,” a middle-aged man, to lure U.S. women.
Through messages and emails, they built trust with their targets and eventually tricked them into sending money under false stories.
The Scam Unveiled
The scam worked by moving the victims’ money into U.S. bank accounts under the conspirators’ control. The funds were then hidden in complicated financial transactions to disguise where they came from.
Officials stated that the scam resulted in actual and intended losses totalling more than $405,000.
Inweregbu might face up to 20 years in jail for each charge he pleaded guilty to. He’s also looking at hefty fines: up to ₦250,000 for conspiracy to commit fraud and up to ₦500,000 for money laundering conspiracy.
Additionally, there’s a required fee of ₦100 per count. He’ll learn his fate during the sentencing on December 4, 2025, with Judge Brown presiding.
The ongoing investigation was spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with vital backing from both the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Department of State.
The prosecution is under the guidance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, who leads the Public Integrity Unit.
This case is a reminder of how deceptive online activities can lead to severe consequences.
The crackdown on such scams involves numerous international agencies collaborating, which shows the importance of global cooperation in combating cross-border crimes.
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