Fairfield man sentenced for role in romance fraud scheme targeting elderly victims

Cincinnati, Ohio, June 15, 2024 – De-love Kofi Amuzu, 25, of Fairfield, Ohio, was sentenced to 78 months in prison in U.S. District Court for his involvement as a money launderer in a romance fraud conspiracy that exploited elderly people looking for companionship online.

Court documents revealed that members of the conspiracy created fake online dating profiles using stolen photographs and fabricated information. They engaged with victims through chats, text messages and phone calls, posing as the person depicted in the fraudulent profiles. Often, they pretended to live abroad to justify why they couldn't meet in person.

The conspirators persuaded the victims to transfer large sums of money to accounts controlled by Amuzu. They also asked the victims to send him cash or valuables, such as Rolex watches and iPhones. Amuzu then laundered the funds into accounts in Ghana. Investigators traced more than $1.1 million in fraud proceeds through Amuzu's accounts. He was ordered to pay $835,487.65 in restitution.

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“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 at www.Justice.gov. / elder justice.

A federal grand jury indicted Amuzu in 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 2, 2024, to conspiracy to commit money laundering. His case was highlighted in October 2022 as part of the Department of Justice's National Elder Justice Sweep, an initiative to raise awareness of fraud schemes targeting older adults.

The sentence was announced by Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Butler County Prosecutor Michael T. Gmoser; and Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones. U.S. Attorney Parker also recognized the contributions of Garrett Baker and Susan Monnin of the Butler County Prosecutor's Office, as well as Investigator Steve Isgro. Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia represented the United States in this case.