Texas-based Nigerian indicted in 0K romance, email fraud scheme

Texas-based Nigerian indicted in $300K romance, email fraud scheme

A Texas-based Nigerian national has been indicted for allegedly running romance and email fraud schemes that generated over $300,000 using money mules per People’s Gazette.

A federal grand jury has indicted Okeoghene Patrick Udugba, 45, a Nigerian national living in Frisco, Texas, on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors allege Udugba and co-conspirators operated overlapping romance scams and business email compromise schemes targeting victims across multiple states.

Authorities say the group used social media and dating platforms to build relationships with victims, who were later recruited as money mules to receive and cash fraudulent checks. Investigators allege the checks were obtained through spoofed emails sent from Nigeria, impersonating officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The emails directed grant funds to pay fake invoices, falsely claiming the money mules were contractors working on approved projects. As a result, more than $300,000 in grant payments were issued. The case remains pending, and no trial date has been announced.

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