Nigerian jailed 19 years in US over $4m romance scam
A 40-year-old Nigerian national, Leslie Chinedu Mba, has been sentenced to 228 months (19 years) in a United States federal prison for his role in a $4 million romance scam and business email compromise scheme. The sentence was handed down by US District Judge David Hittner after Mba pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire […]
A 40-year-old Nigerian national, Leslie Chinedu Mba, has been sentenced to 228 months (19 years) in a United States federal prison for his role in a $4 million romance scam and business email compromise scheme.
The sentence was handed down by US District Judge David Hittner after Mba pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to make false statements in immigration documents.
In a statement, the US Department of Justice said Mba and his co-conspirators operated fraudulent schemes between April 2018 and December 2023.
“Mba and others carried out business email compromise and romance scams targeting unsuspecting victims,” the department said.
Prosecutors said the schemes began outside the United States, with members of the group gaining unauthorized access to business email accounts and redirecting payments to fraudulent bank accounts.
“The victims believed they were sending money to legitimate businesses. However, Mba and his co-conspirators funneled the funds to accounts they controlled,” the statement read.
The Justice Department added that “Mba and others acted as money mules, opening or using existing bank accounts to collect and move proceeds from the fraud.”
Authorities further disclosed that Mba attempted to secure US permanent residency through fraudulent means.
“Additionally, Mba tried to obtain U.S. permanent residency through multiple fraudulent marriages after his initial application was denied and he was ordered to be removed from the country,” the department stated.
According to prosecutors, the scheme resulted in approximately $4 million in losses.
Mba is expected to face removal proceedings after serving his prison term.
Four Houston residents previously pleaded guilty in connection with the case. Grace Morisho, Rodgers Kadikilo and Kristin Smith received prison sentences ranging from 15 to 25 months, while Alexandra Golovko was sentenced to five years’ probation.