A 40-year-old Nigerian, Daniel Chima Inweregbu, has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a romance scam that swindled several American women out of more than $405,000. Inweregbu, who entered the plea on August 21, 2025, before United States district Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown, admitted to conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud, as well as money laundering.
Between July 2017 and December 2018, Inweregbu and his co-conspirators created fake profile on social media and online dating sites, using alias “Larry Pham” to lure middle-aged American women into romantic relationship. Once trust was established, they requested money under various pretences, which was then laundered through intermediaries to disguise its origin.
Inweregbu faces up to 20 years in prison for each charge, along with fine of $250,000 for conspiracy to commit fraud and $500,000 for money laundering conspiracy. He also faces mandatory assessment fees of $100 per count. Sentencing is scheduled for December 4, 2025.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with support from the U.S Department of State and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson commended the agencies involved for exposing the scheme and bringing Inweregbu to justice.
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