$3m Romance Scam: Nigerian, Darlington Akporugo, Pleads Guilty

A Houston based Nigerian National, Darlington Akporugo, has pleased guilty to a $3m romance scam that targeted the elderly and other vulnerable groups.

The 47 year-old Akporygo, said to be illegally resident in the US, on Friday, February 28, pleaded guilty to multiple criminal charges relating to his role in the operation of a romance scheme that fleezed over $3 million from US citizens, most of whom are elderly, across the country. 

He appeared before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, where he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, aiding and a betting. He was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement over several years leading to his conviction.

“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,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge, Chad Plantz. 

“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.”

While making his pleas, Akporugo admitted to being a central figure in a long-running Houston based romance scheme that targeted and victimized mostly senior citizens from Chicago through Kentucky.

Alongside other criminals, Akporugo kporugo lured victims via online romances, using social media pseudo names to gain their confidence, before inducing them to send money to various bank accounts under his control.

In most cases, they are lures into investing in non existent business schemes or provide funds for invented personal circumstances. Akporugo admitted to approaching potential victims, via social media outlets, including Facebook, subsequently directing them to send money to either his or his associates’ bank accounts after which the money was then directed overseas.

Aside admitting to collecting cash and wire transfers, Akpourgo also confessed to compelling the victims to open lines of credit in his name. In one particular case., he purchased a luxury vehicle for his personal use.

In the course of investigation, security agents identify more than 25 of his victims, majority of whom were either retired or of advanced age.

He is billed to be sentenced June 6, facing up to20 years in federal prison, including a possible $250,000 maximum fine.