Afeez Adebara, a 36-year-old Nigerian man, orchestrated a large-scale romance scam operation from 2017 to 2019, targeting unsuspecting victims through online dating websites and social media platforms. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Adebara’s criminal conspiracy involved members who pretended to be Americans working or traveling abroad. They developed trusting relationships with victims, then requested increasingly larger sums of money, claiming the funds were necessary to complete business projects or help them return to the United States.
The scam ring laundered the stolen funds through several bank accounts, which were opened under false identities using fake passports and other fraudulent documents. Adebara, who played a central role in the operation, would take a commission before passing the account numbers to his co-conspirators to further launder the proceeds. The stolen money was either redirected back to Nigeria or used to purchase luxury vehicles and car parts.
Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson described Adebara’s actions, stating, “Afeez Adebara led a group of money launderers who bilked unsuspecting victims out of their hard-earned retirement and savings accounts.”
Adebara is the seventh member of the fraud ring to be sentenced. Sentences for those involved have ranged from time served to nearly three years of imprisonment. As the leader of the scam group, Adebara received a four-year prison sentence and was ordered to pay $500,740 in restitution to the victims.
The scam primarily targeted elderly individuals, a demographic often vulnerable to online and phone scams. These scammers frequently impersonate police officers, lawyers, or tax authorities, convincing their victims they owe large sums of money or that a loved one is in legal trouble.
Adebara’s sentencing serves as a reminder of the risks of online scams, particularly those involving fake romantic relationships. The DOJ and other authorities continue to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in such fraudulent schemes.
