A Nigerian man has pleaded guilty in the U.S. to a romance scam that stole over $400,000.
Daniel Chima Inweregbu faces decades in prison after admitting fraud and money laundering.
A 40-year-old Nigerian national, Daniel Chima Inweregbu, has admitted to his role in a sophisticated romance fraud scheme that defrauded several U.S. citizens of more than $400,000.
The U.S. Department of Justice, through Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson, disclosed the development in a press release on Friday, August 29, 2025.
Court records show that Inweregbu entered a guilty plea on August 21, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown. He pleaded guilty to two charges: conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, including the use of a false identity, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. These offenses violate multiple sections of Title 18 of the United States Code.
How the scam worked
According to the plea documents, Inweregbu was part of a ring that ran a “romance scam” between July 2017 and December 2018. In such schemes, fraudsters pretend to seek romantic relationships, lure victims into emotional bonds, and then exploit that trust for financial gain. Victims are often persuaded to share sensitive information or transfer money to accounts controlled by the scammers.
Investigators revealed that Inweregbu and his partners created fake profiles on dating and social media platforms using the alias “Larry Pham,” a fictional middle-aged man. The fake identity was specifically designed to appeal to middle-aged American women searching for companionship.
Once contact was established, the conspirators nurtured online relationships to build trust. After gaining emotional attachment, they persuaded the victims to send money under various fabricated stories and emergencies. The funds were funneled through U.S. bank accounts opened and managed by the conspirators.
In total, four victims were directly identified, with actual and attempted losses exceeding $405,000.
Money laundering tactics
Authorities said the group laundered the proceeds by routing the victims’ funds through intermediaries and carrying out financial transactions aimed at concealing the true source and ownership of the money. This was done to disguise the criminal origins of the funds and prevent detection.
Possible sentence
For the fraud count, Inweregbu faces up to 20 years in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The money laundering conspiracy carries an additional maximum of 20 years, three years of supervised release, and a fine that could reach $500,000. He is also required to pay a $100 special assessment for each count. Sentencing is scheduled for December 4, 2025, before Judge Brown.
U.S. officials react
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for leading the probe. He also acknowledged support from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Department of State.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, Chief of the Public Integrity Unit.
