A planned wedding in Houston, Texas, was dramatically interrupted as the couple, Darlington Akporugo, 46, and Jasmin Sood, 35, were arrested on charges of defrauding elderly Americans of more than $3 million through online romance scams.
Akporugo and Sood, who were set to wed on May 25, 2024, face serious charges following a seven-year scheme that targeted widowed victims via social media and dating platforms. According to the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Southern District of Texas, the couple conspired to commit wire and mail fraud between 2015 and 2022.
In a statement released in April, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani noted, “Darlington Akporugo allegedly conspired with Jasmin Sood to defraud over a dozen elderly Americans who believed they were in romantic online relationships. The scheme resulted in the victims transferring millions of dollars into accounts controlled by the fraudsters.”
The couple is accused of defrauding at least 13 victims, collectively stealing $3,123,073. The indictment includes charges of aggravated identity theft and fraud in connection with an access device, with a notice of forfeiture for all proceeds illegally obtained from the scheme.
If convicted, Akporugo and Sood face up to 30 years in prison for each wire fraud and conspiracy charge. Akporugo could also face an additional 10 years for fraud connected to an access device, and a mandatory two years for aggravated identity theft.