A Nigerian national residing illegally in the United States has pleaded guilty to multiple criminal charges linked to a romance scam that defrauded victims of over $3 million.

Many of the victims were elderly citizens who were deceived into sending money under false pretenses.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a multi-year investigation leading to the conviction of 47-year-old Darlington Akporugo. He pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, as well as wire fraud, aiding, and abetting.

“This individual and his co-conspirators preyed on the vulnerability of the elderly and recently widowed to defraud them of their hard-earned life savings,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “Thanks to the victims who bravely came forward to report this matter and the strong collaboration between domestic and international law enforcement partners, we were able to expose this reprehensible scheme and hold the criminals accountable.”

Akporugo admitted in court to being a central figure in a long-running romance scam based in Houston, which targeted victims across multiple states, including Chicago and Kentucky. Working with accomplices, he used fake identities to establish online relationships with victims, gain their trust, and then manipulate them into sending money.

To further the scheme, Akporugo and his co-conspirators fabricated business opportunities and personal emergencies to solicit funds. Victims were persuaded to transfer money to various bank accounts controlled by Akporugo, which he then funneled overseas. Additionally, he coerced some victims into opening lines of credit in his name and, in at least one instance, purchasing a luxury vehicle for his personal use.

Authorities identified over 25 victims, most of whom were retirees or elderly individuals.

Akporugo is scheduled to be sentenced on June 6, where he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible maximum fine of $250,000. He remains in custody pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Carter prosecuted the case.

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