U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody | U.S. Department of Justice
Jason R. Coody, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentencing of three individuals involved in a Ghana-based romance scam targeting elderly victims. Sadia Alhassan, a 35-year-old Ghanaian citizen residing in Tallahassee, Florida, received an 18-month federal prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release. Shawn William Smith, 26, also from Tallahassee, was sentenced to one day in prison and three years of supervised release with community service obligations. Mohammed Saaminu Zuberu, a dual U.S.-Ghanaian citizen from Aldie, Virginia, was sentenced to approximately five and a half months in federal prison with similar supervised release terms.
"Given our large elder population, Florida experiences far too many instances of fraud against unsuspecting, vulnerable seniors through overtures of affection,” stated U.S. Attorney Coody.
The defendants were ordered to pay $581,261.67 in restitution to their victims. The scheme operated between March 2019 and March 2022 involved unknown individuals from Ghana contacting elderly U.S. citizens through online platforms under false pretenses of romantic relationships. Victims were deceived into sending money via mail or commercial carriers to addresses controlled by Smith and Alhassan.
“Whether you are spearheading the scheme or acting as a 'money-mule,' there is no tolerance for those who are knowingly involved with defrauding citizens throughout the United States in a romance scam,” said Juan A. Vargas from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Alhassan and Smith acted as intermediaries for these transactions without directly communicating with victims but facilitated financial transfers on behalf of the scammers using unlicensed money transmitting businesses.
“Targeting the elderly for financial gain is morally reprehensible,” remarked HSI Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent Nicholas Ingegno.
Zuberu's role included serving as an intermediary between Smith and Alhassan and the unknown scammers by relaying information about package deliveries containing fraudulently obtained funds.
“I want to remind everyone to be extremely careful when sending money to someone you barely know,” cautioned Ron Loecker from IRS – Criminal Investigation’s Tampa Field Office.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including the United States Postal Inspection Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
Victims over age 60 can seek assistance through the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 for support and resources related to elder fraud cases.
For further details on efforts against elder fraud or consumer protection initiatives visit relevant government websites such as www.justice.gov/elderjustice or www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/.
