Crime

US-based Nigerian jailed 19 years over $4m romance, fraud

Published

4 months ago

March 3, 2026

A 40-year-old Nigerian, Leslie Mba, has been sentenced to 19 years in a United States federal prison for his role in a $4m romance scam and business email compromise scheme.

Mba, who is not a U.S. citizen, is also expected to face deportation proceedings upon completion of his prison term.

The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge David Hittner, who ordered Mba to serve 228 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to make false statements in immigration documents.

The conviction was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.

According to prosecutors, between April 2018 and December 2023, Mba and his accomplices operated a transnational fraud scheme that targeted individuals and businesses through romance scams and compromised business email accounts.

Investigators said members of the syndicate initially gained unauthorised access to business email accounts overseas and diverted legitimate payments into bank accounts under their control in the United States.

“Victims believed they were sending money to legitimate businesses, but Mba and others instead funnelled the funds to accounts they controlled,” the statement noted.

Prosecutors said Mba acted as a money mule, opening or using existing bank accounts to receive and transfer fraudulent proceeds. The court heard that the scheme resulted in losses exceeding $4m.

U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei described the crimes as particularly disturbing, especially the romance scams that preyed on vulnerable victims.

“Romance scams are among the lowest and most despicable forms of fraud because they prey upon the lonely and vulnerable, and disproportionately victimise senior citizens,” Ganjei said.

“Even worse, Mba and his confederates committed these crimes while attempting to remain in our country under false pretences by deceiving immigration authorities. Now, Mba has prison to look forward to, followed by a one-way ticket back to Nigeria,” he added.

FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge, Jason Hudson, also condemned the scheme, saying the suspects weaponised romance scams to manipulate and financially devastate their victims.

“Romance scams cruelly manipulate trust, exploit the fear of loneliness and leave victims both financially devastated and emotionally shattered,” Hudson said, adding that the agency would continue to pursue fraudsters.

Investigators further revealed that Mba attempted to secure U.S. permanent residency through multiple fraudulent marriages after his initial application was denied and he was ordered removed from the country.

Four other Houston residents — Grace Morisho, Rodgers Kadikilo, Kristin Smith and Alexandra Golovko — had earlier pleaded guilty in connection with the case. Morisho, Kadikilo and Smith were sentenced to between 15 and 25 months’ imprisonment, while Golovko received five years’ probation.

Mba remains in custody pending transfer to a facility to be designated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 304

Crime

Hoodlums tie up couple, steal ₦4m valuables in Bauchi – Police

Published

7 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have arrested two suspects over their alleged involvement in a case of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking and armed robbery in Gadau community of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying the suspects were arrested following an intelligence-led investigation into the incident.

According to the statement, a 28-year-old resident of Gadau Town reported the incident to the Gadau Divisional Police Headquarters on July 3, stating that the robbery occurred on June 8 at about 3:00 a.m.

The statement partly read, “On 3rd July, 2026, a 28-year-old complainant, male, resident of Gadau Town, reported at Gadau Division that on 8th June, 2026, at about 0300hrs, five unknown hoodlums armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons broke into his residence.”

It added, “According to the complainant, the hoodlums forced open his bedroom door, intimidated him and his wife with machetes, tied them up, and carted away valuables. Items stolen include one Jincheng motorcycle, five Android mobile phones, 10 sets of wrappers, the sum of ₦1,000,000 cash, one cap, and three wristwatches, all valued at about ₦4,000,000.”

The police spokesperson said detectives immediately visited the scene and launched an intelligence-led investigation, which led to the arrest of two suspects.

“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives visited the scene and commenced an intelligence-led investigation. As a result of diligent follow-up, two suspects were subsequently arrested.

“They are Salisu Umar, 20, of the same address, and Sadiq Shehu, 20, of Azare, Katagum Local Government Area. They underwent preliminary investigation at the Divisional Headquarters,” Habib stated.

He further revealed that during an identification parade, the complainant’s wife identified one of the suspects.

“During an identification parade conducted, the complainant’s wife recognised and pointed out Sadiq Shehu as one of the persons who entered her room and forced her to open the main gate for the other accomplices,” he said.

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the Divisional Police Officer and his team for the arrest and directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

He added that the commissioner assured residents that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, stressing that all those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The police also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information that would assist security agencies in tackling criminal activities across the state.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 33

Crime

PHOTOS: Fake soldier arrested for allegedly robbing residents in Maiduguri

Published

10 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Troops of the 7 Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested a suspected impersonator accused of posing as a soldier to rob residents in the Shuwari area of Maiduguri, Borno State. Africans& Diaspora

The suspect, identified as Abdulazeez Mohammed, was apprehended at about 2:00 p.m. on July 1, 2026 following credible intelligence on his activities within the Shuwari General Area.

Security sources on Monday, July 6 said the suspect allegedly dressed in military camouflage to gain the confidence of residents before stealing mobile phones and other valuables from homes in the area.

Acting on the intelligence, troops of the 7 Division Garrison, supported by members of the CJTF, swiftly mobilised to the location and arrested the suspect without incident.

The suspect is currently in military custody and is undergoing further investigation to determine the full extent of his activities and whether he is linked to any criminal syndicate.

Security authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report anyone suspected of unlawfully wearing military uniforms or engaging in suspicious activities, noting that impersonating members of the Armed Forces is a criminal offence punishable under Nigerian law.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 40

Crime

PHOTOS: Fake soldier arrested at Borno varsity suspected of acting as terrorist informant

Published

11 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The 25-year-old man who was arrested while dressed in military camouflage at Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri, is being investigated for possible links to criminal intelligence gathering.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama on Monday that the suspect, identified as Mubarak Mohammed, was apprehended at about 4:30 p.m. on July 1, 2026 at the university’s Njimtilo campus after his appearance in a desert camouflage uniform aroused suspicion among troops.

According to the sources, the suspect claimed during preliminary questioning that he was a newly admitted student of the university and had borrowed the military uniform from a civilian friend to attend the institution’s Career Week programme.

However, the claim quickly unraveled during interrogation.

The sources said the suspect was unable to communicate in English, failed to produce a valid student identity card, and could not access the university’s student portal on his mobile phone to verify his admission status.

Troops subsequently contacted the university management through the institution’s Systems Manager, who confirmed that the suspect was not a registered student of the university.

The university official also informed the troops that only final-year students were participating in the Career Week activities, contradicting the suspect’s claim that he had attended the event as a newly admitted student.

Security sources said the suspect is being investigated over suspicions that he may have been gathering intelligence under the guise of a soldier.

He remains in the custody of the 73 Battalion for further investigation.

Military authorities reiterated their warning against the unlawful use of military uniforms, noting that impersonating members of the Armed Forces poses a serious security threat and could be exploited by criminal and terrorist elements.