A Connecticut man has been sentenced to nearly a decade in federal prison for his role in a large-scale romance scam that targeted victims across the United States.
Thirty-year-old Naabanyin Aniagyei-Cobbold, from East Hartford, received a nine-year prison sentence on March 5 in a federal court in Des Moines, Iowa. He had previously been convicted on charges including wire fraud and money laundering.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, Aniagyei-Cobbold played a central role in a sophisticated online romance scam operation.
Investigators said he and his associates created fake profiles on dating websites and social media platforms. These profiles were used to build emotional relationships with victims and eventually persuade them to send money.
Prosecutors revealed that Aniagyei-Cobbold operated a fraudulent company called Alpha Distributions LLC, which served as a front for receiving funds from victims. He also recruited others to participate in the scheme and set up a website and bank accounts linked to the fake business.
Authorities said the operation generated more than $1.5 million from victims nationwide. Over $400,000 of that amount came from a victim in the Iowa district where he was ultimately sentenced.
Victims believed they were helping romantic partners they had met online, often sending money with the hope of eventually meeting them in person. In many cases, the financial impact was devastating.
Prosecutors said some victims drained retirement savings, sold their homes or vehicles, returned to work after retirement, or borrowed heavily from friends and family members to continue sending money.
Adding to the case, investigators found that Aniagyei-Cobbold produced and appeared in a music video titled “S.C.A.M.”. In the video, he rapped about receiving “scam money” and laundering it while living a lavish lifestyle. At one point, he posed beside a car with the word “SCAM” spelled across its hood using $100 bills.
When questioned by FBI agents, Aniagyei-Cobbold falsely claimed that Alpha Distributions was a legitimate company that sourced electronics for customers in Africa. He also submitted forged invoices and receipts after a federal grand jury subpoena in an attempt to mislead investigators and obstruct the investigation.
FBI Omaha Field Office Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said romance scams often target people at their most vulnerable.
Scammers build trust with victims by pretending to form genuine relationships, he said, only to exploit that trust and steal their savings.
Polk County Sheriff Kevin Schneider also emphasized the emotional toll of such crimes, noting that many victims were elderly or living on fixed incomes. Beyond the financial loss, victims often suffer broken trust, emotional trauma, and long-term hardship.
In addition to his prison sentence, Aniagyei-Cobbold was ordered to pay $1,544,442 in restitution to victims. After completing his sentence, he will serve three years of supervised release.
The FBI reports that romance scams remain a major issue nationwide. In 2024 alone, about 59,000 people in the United States reported falling victim to romance-related fraud, resulting in losses exceeding $672 million.
Authorities encourage anyone who suspects they are involved in an online relationship scam to stop communication immediately. Victims who have already sent money are advised to contact their financial institution and report the incident to law enforcement.
