On December 17, 2024, Chinedu Ikenna Nwafor from Bowie, Maryland, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Daniel M. Traynor to 25 months in federal prison for his involvement in a romance fraud scheme targeting elderly women. In addition to the prison term, Nwafor received three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $180,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
Vitus Uzoma Uzowuru, Nwafor's codefendant from Glendale, Maryland, was sentenced on August 8, 2024. He received time served imprisonment of approximately ten months and three years of supervised release. Uzowuru also has to pay $50,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting mail fraud.
Juliet Chinyere Molenda faces charges related to her participation in the same romance fraud scheme. Her trial is scheduled for July 24, 2025.
The scheme involved foreign actors posing as high-ranking U.S. military members who targeted elderly women through fake online profiles. These actors developed relationships with their victims and persuaded them to send money under false pretenses. The funds were then funneled through U.S.-based middlemen like Nwafor and Uzowuru before being sent overseas.
"This sentence shows that romance scammers will face justice in United States District Court when they target the hard-earned savings of North Dakotans," said United States Attorney Mac Schneider. Special Agent Alvin M. Winston Sr. emphasized the FBI's commitment: "Today's sentencing serves as a reminder that the FBI will continue to investigate and dismantle these scams."
The case was investigated by several agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan J. O’Konek.
For those wishing to report elder fraud or seek more information on preventing such crimes, resources are available through dedicated hotlines and websites provided by law enforcement agencies.
