‎Nigerian National Pleads Guilty To Years-Long Romance Scam That Defrauded Multiple US Citizens Of Over $400,000

A 40-year-old Nigerian man, Daniel Chima Inweregbu, has admitted guilt in a sophisticated, multi-year romance scam that defrauded numerous United States citizens of more than $400,000.

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson disclosed this in a press release issued by the Justice Department on Friday, August 29, 2025.

Per the statement, Inweregbu entered a guilty plea on August 21, 2025, before United States District Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown to two counts charged against him, including conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and using an assumed name to perpetrate a mail fraud scheme, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341, 1342, 1343, and 1349 (Count 1), and conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1956(a)(1)(B)(i), 1957, and 1956(h) (Count 12).

Inweregbu’s guilty plea arose from his involvement in an extended romance scam targeting American citizens.

Court documents describe a “romance scam” as a confidence scheme where the perpetrator feigns romantic intentions toward a victim, gains their trust and affection, and exploits their goodwill to perpetrate fraud. Such fraudulent acts might include gaining access to the victim’s money, bank accounts, credit cards, passports, email accounts, or national identification numbers; persuading the victim to send items of value to the perpetrator or their knowing or unknowing co-conspirators; or inducing the victim to unwittingly commit or participate in financial fraud against third parties on behalf of the perpetrator.

From at least July 1, 2017, to December 16, 2018, Inweregbu and his co-conspirators devised and executed a “romance scam” to obtain money and property from multiple American women, including four victims, through false and deceptive representations and promises.

Specifically, Inweregbu and his co-conspirators created profiles on social media and online dating platforms using the alias “Larry Pham,” posing as a middle-aged male to attract middle-aged female victims.

The co-conspirators, including Inweregbu, used online messaging platforms and email to contact victims, introduce themselves, and appeal to the victims’ desire for companionship.

If a victim responded positively, Inweregbu and his co-conspirators cultivated a romantic relationship that emotionally bonded the victims to “Larry Pham.”

Once the relationship was established, the defendant and his co-conspirators, posing as Larry Pham, requested that victims send money under various scams and pretexts to domestic bank accounts they opened and controlled.

Inweregbu’s scheme caused actual and intended losses to the victims exceeding $405,000.

Subsequently, Inweregbu and his co-conspirators laundered the funds by conducting financial transactions with the proceeds of their wire and mail fraud scheme, designed wholly or partly to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the proceeds, by funneling the victims’ funds through intermediaries.

Inweregbu faces up to twenty years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 for Count 1. For Count 12, he faces up to twenty years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $500,000.

He also faces a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 per count. Sentencing before Judge Brown is set for December 4, 2025.

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their work in investigating this case and expressed gratitude for the significant support provided by the United States Department of Justice Office of International Affairs and the United States Department of State.

Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, Chief of the Public Integrity Unit, is overseeing the prosecution.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli