A 47-year-old Nigerian man, Darlington Akporugo, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy charges related to a nationwide romance scam targeting elderly Americans. The scheme, which ran for several years, swindled more than $3 million from victims, many of whom were elderly or retired. Akporugo, who was arrested just a month before his planned wedding, played a central role in the scam, which involved luring victims into fraudulent online relationships and convincing them to send money to bank accounts controlled by him.
Akporugo, who was living in the United States illegally, operated his fraudulent activities in collaboration with accomplices based in Houston, Texas. According to authorities, he used fake identities to contact victims via social media platforms, such as Facebook. Over time, he built trust with his targets, many of whom were widowed or vulnerable, and manipulated them into sending money for non-existent business ventures or fabricated personal emergencies.
The scam, which operated nationwide from Chicago to Kentucky, resulted in victims losing their hard-earned savings. As the case progressed, investigators uncovered that Akporugo and his co-conspirators managed to defraud more than 25 individuals, all of whom were either elderly or retired.
“Akporugo and his co-conspirators preyed on the vulnerability of the elderly and recently widowed to defraud them of their hard-earned life savings,” said Chad Plantz, Special Agent in Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations. “Thanks to the victims who bravely came forward, we were able to expose this reprehensible scheme and hold the criminals accountable.”
According to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Akporugo’s primary tactic was to create convincing fake profiles on social media platforms, where he would strike up online relationships with his victims. These interactions initially seemed harmless, but as trust grew, Akporugo would then request money from the victims. He claimed that the funds were needed for various reasons, such as emergencies or business deals.
In some instances, Akporugo even convinced victims to open lines of credit in his name, and in one case, he manipulated a victim into purchasing a luxury vehicle for his personal use. Once the money was sent, much of it was funneled overseas, making it difficult for authorities to trace.
“This individual manipulated the emotions and trust of his victims for personal gain,” said Nicholas J. Ganjei, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. “Unfortunately, victims of romance scams often suffer devastating financial losses that can wipe out their life savings.”
The victims of this scam were primarily elderly or retired individuals, many of whom had already experienced the emotional loss of a spouse. These individuals were particularly vulnerable to the romantic overtures of someone like Akporugo, who preyed on their loneliness and desire for companionship.
For many of the victims, coming forward to report the crime was not easy. As is common with romance scams, victims often feel embarrassed and ashamed to admit they were deceived. They may also fear not being believed, or feel guilty about losing money that they worked hard for over the years.
“Victims of these types of scams often face tremendous emotional and financial distress,” said Ganjei. “Some lose their entire life savings, and the embarrassment of being scammed makes it harder for them to come forward. We encourage anyone who has fallen victim to such a scam to speak out, as their story may help prevent future victimization.”
On Monday, Akporugo pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, and aiding and abetting wire fraud. His guilty plea comes after a multi-year investigation into the fraudulent scheme, conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
As part of his plea agreement, Akporugo admitted to playing a central role in the scam, admitting to using fake identities to solicit money from victims. He faces significant legal consequences, including a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Akporugo is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge on June 6, 2025. He will remain in custody until that time. His case has attracted widespread attention, not only due to the severity of the crimes but also because of the large number of elderly victims who were targeted by the scam.
In a surprising twist, Akporugo’s arrest occurred just a month before his wedding. According to reports, he had been planning to marry his fiancée, Jasmin Sood, on May 25, 2024, in Houston, Texas. However, both Akporugo and Sood were arrested just days before the ceremony, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas revealing that the couple had allegedly orchestrated the scam together.
The couple’s wedding website had provided details of the ceremony, but their plans came to a sudden halt after law enforcement agencies uncovered the scam and made the arrest. Sood, like Akporugo, faces charges of defrauding elderly Americans, although her case is still under investigation.
Romance scams have become an increasingly prevalent crime in recent years, particularly as more people turn to online platforms for dating and companionship. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), romance scams are one of the most common types of fraud, with Americans losing billions of dollars to scammers each year. The rise of social media and dating apps has made it easier for fraudsters to target vulnerable individuals, often convincing them to part with large sums of money under the guise of love and affection.
