Fairfield man convicted for role in romance fraud targeting older victims

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

0 2 minutes read

A Fairfield man has been convicted for his role as a money launderer in a romance fraud scheme that targeted older victims. De-love Kofi Amuzu, 25, was sentenced Wednesday to more than six years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. According to court documents, members of the conspiracy created fake online dating profiles using stolen photographs and false information and communicated with victims via text messages and phone calls while posing as the person depicted in the profile . Federal investigators said members of the scheme claimed to live overseas to explain why they had not been able to meet in person. Investigators said the conspirators asked the victims to wire thousands of dollars into accounts controlled by Amuzu. They also asked the victims to mail Amuzu money, watches and iPhones. After receiving the money, court documents indicated that Amuzu laundered these funds into accounts in Ghana. Amuzu was indicted in 2022 and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering in February. “According to court documents, several victims lost so much money as a result of this scheme that they were forced to file for bankruptcy,” said Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. “Anyone who suspects that they or a loved one is a victim of such fraud can report it by calling the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11, or by visiting Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative website for more information.

FAIRFIELD, Ohio —

A Fairfield man has been convicted for his role as a money launderer in a romance fraud scheme that targeted older victims.

De-love Kofi Amuzu, 25, was sentenced Wednesday to more than six years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio.

According to court documents, members of the conspiracy created fake online dating profiles using stolen photographs and false information and communicated with victims via text messages and phone calls while posing as the person depicted in the profile .

Federal investigators said program members claimed to live overseas to explain why they were unable to meet in person.

Investigators said the conspirators asked the victims to transfer thousands of dollars to accounts controlled by Amuzu. They also asked the victims to send cash, watches and iPhones to Amuzu.

After receiving the money, court documents indicated that Amuzu laundered these funds into accounts in Ghana.

Amuzu was indicted in 2022 and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering in February.

“According to court documents, several victims lost so much money as a result of this scheme that they were forced to file for bankruptcy,” said Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. “Anyone who suspects that they or a loved one is a victim of such fraud can report it by calling the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11, or by visiting Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative website for more information.