Crime

Nigerian national pleads guilty to years-long romance scam that defrauded multiple US citizens of over $400,000

Published

8 months ago

August 30, 2025

A 40-year-old Nigerian man, Daniel Chima Inweregbu, has pleaded guilty to years-long well orchestrated romance scam that swindled multiple United State citizens of over $400,000.

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

According to the statement, Inweregbu pled guilty on August 21, 2025 before United States District Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown to two of the counts pending against him, including conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and using an assumed name to commit 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, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1956(a)(1)(B)(i), 1957, and 1956(h) (Count 12).

Inweregbu’s plea stemmed from his role in a lengthy romance scam targeting American citizens.

According to court documents, a “romance scam” was a confidence scheme in which the perpetrator feigned romantic intentions towards a victim, gained their affection, and used the victim’s goodwill to commit fraud. These fraudulent acts might involve such acts as obtaining access to the victim’s money, bank accounts, credit cards, passports, e-mail accounts, or national identification numbers; convincing the victim to transmit things of value to the perpetrator or his witting or unwitting co-conspirators; or inducing the victim to, unintentionally, commit or participate in the commission of financial fraud against third parties on behalf of the perpetrator.

Between at least July 1, 2017, and December 16, 2018, Inweregbu and his co-conspirators, devised and operated a “romance scam” whereby they sought to obtain money and property from multiple American women, including 4 victims, by means of false and fraudulent representations and promises.

Specifically, Inweregbu and his co-conspirators created profiles on social media and online dating sites using the alias “Larry Pham,” purportedly 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 victims’ longing for companionship.

If the victim responded favorably, Inweregbu and his co-conspirators began to cultivate a romantic relationship that emotionally attached the victims to “Larry Pham.”

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

Inweregbu’s scheme resulted in actual and intended losses to the victims of over $405,000.

Thereafter, Inweregbu and his co-conspirators laundered the funds, by conducting financial transactions using the proceeds of their wire and mail fraud scheme, designed in whole or in part to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the proceeds, by directing the victims’ funds through intermediaries.

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

He also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count. Sentencing before Judge Brown has been scheduled for December 4, 2025.

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter and expressed appreciation for the great support provided by 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 in charge of the prosecution.

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Crime

Gunmen set Imo monarch ablaze as police begins manhunt to arrest assailants

Published

8 hours ago

April 12, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, Audu Garba Bosso, has deployed tactical units with available operational assets to go all out, in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down hoodlums suspected to be responsible for the death of the traditional ruler of Ochia Autonomous Community, Eze Paulinus Ekwueme, who was burnt to death by unknown assailants.

In a press statement, the Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, said the incident took place along Asa Awara Road, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state.
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He explained that the deployment of security personnel to the area followed a distress report received from Ohaji Police Division on April 10, 2026, indicating that armed assailants attacked the monarch and killed him alongside five other yet-to-be-identified victims.
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‎Okoye said upon receiving the report, the CP immediately mobilized and dispatched tactical teams to the scene at Asa, where operatives recovered the burnt corpses of the deceased persons, which have been evacuated and deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, FUTH, Owerri, for preservation and autopsy.
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“‎Consequently, the Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the incident, while intensive operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover any weapons in their possession. Adequate security measures have also been emplaced to forestall any future occurrence of such a tragic incident in the area and its environs,” the press release stated.
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‎Following the development, the Commissioner of Police and his management team have embarked on an on-the-spot assessment and confidence-building visit to the Ochia Community to reassure residents of the Command’s resolve to restore calm and enhance sustained security presence in the affected area.
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‎Extending condolences to the family of the late monarch and other deceased victims, the CP assured Imo residents that the Command remains fully committed to sustaining peace and security in the state, assuring that in no distant time, the perpetrators will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
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‎He further urged members of the public with credible information that will aid the ongoing investigation to report to the nearest Police Station or contact the Command through the following emergency lines: 0803 477 3600, 08148024755.
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The Command’s spokesperson, promised that ‎further developments will be communicated in due course.

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Crime

Military personnel arrested after video of them exchanging blows during Tinubu’s visit to Bayelsa went viral online

Published

10 hours ago

April 12, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Nigerian Navy has arrested personnel involved in a public altercation with soldiers in Bayelsa during a visit by Bola Tinubu.

A viral video showed uniformed officers exchanging blows as a fight broke out. In the footage, a driver of a vehicle marked “Naval Police” stepped out and engaged in a heated argument with another motorist before returning to his vehicle. Moments later, a soldier carrying a rifle approached him, escalating the situation into a full-blown melee.

The confrontation reportedly happened as Tinubu was leaving the venue of an official event, drawing widespread criticism from Nigerians who described the incident as a display of indiscipline among security forces.

Reacting to the development, Abi Folorunso, director of naval information, confirmed that those involved have been detained and are facing disciplinary action.

“The affected personnel are in custody and already undergoing appropriate administrative and disciplinary procedures in accordance with extant military regulations,” he said.

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Crime

UK Police to arraign suspected k!ller of British-Nigerian teenager

Published

10 hours ago

April 12, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Metropolitan Police has announced it will arraign a 16-year-old boy suspected of involvement in the murd£r of Nigerian teenager, Eghosa Ogbebor, before a magistrates’ court.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with Ogbebor’s murd£r on Friday, April 10.

The police disclosed this in a statement released on its website on Friday night.4

14-year-old Ogbebor, a British-Nigerian, was shot de@d in the Woolwich area of London, with three teenagers arrested in connection with the incident.

The Metropolitan Police had confirmed the killing after officers were alerted to the sho0ting at about 4pm on April 2.

Police said medics made efforts to save the teenager, but he was pronounced de@d at the scene.

In a statement, the police said the 16-year-old, of Romford, was charged with murd£r on Friday, April 10, and would appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, April 11.

It was also stated that the suspect was first arrested on April 4 but was released on bail before being re-arrested on April 9.

The statement read, “A boy has been charged with murder over the shooting of 14-year-old Eghosa Ogbebor in Woolwich.

“The 16-year-old, of Romford, was charged with murder on Friday, 10 April, and will appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 11 April.

“He was first arrested on Saturday, 4 April and released on bail. He was re-arrested on Thursday, 9 April.”

The statement added that three other suspects arrested in connection with the incident had been released on bail, while another 16-year-old had been taken into custody.

“Two boys, aged 14 and 16, and an 18-year-old man, who were arrested on Friday, 3 April in connection with Eghosa’s death, have also been bailed while inquiries continue.

“On Friday, 10 April, a further 16-year-old boy was also arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody.

“An investigation remains ongoing, and on Saturday, April 4, officers arrested a 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man in Woolwich on suspicion of murder. A 46-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three were released on bail,” it added.

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