Nigerian Man Leslie Mba has been sentenced to 19 years in U.S. prison over $4 million romance scam and business email fraud.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that a 40-year-old Nigerian national, Leslie Mba, has been sentenced to 19 years in a United States federal prison for his role in a $4 million romance scam and business email compromise scheme.
The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge David Hittner, who ordered Mba to serve 228 months behind bars after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to make false statements in immigration documents.
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The conviction was announced Monday by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
$4 Million Transnational Fraud Scheme
According to prosecutors, between April 2018 and December 2023, Mba and his accomplices operated a transnational fraud ring that targeted individuals and businesses through online romance scams and compromised business email accounts.
Investigators revealed that members of the syndicate gained unauthorised access to corporate email accounts overseas and diverted legitimate business payments into U.S.-based bank accounts under their control.
Victims, believing they were sending funds to legitimate companies, instead had their money redirected to accounts managed by the fraud network. Authorities said the total losses from the scheme exceeded $4 million.
Mba reportedly acted as a “money mule,” opening or using bank accounts to receive and transfer fraudulent proceeds within the United States.
Authorities Condemn Romance Scams
U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei described the crimes as particularly troubling, noting that romance scams often target vulnerable individuals, including elderly victims.
He added that Mba also attempted to remain in the United States under false pretences by deceiving immigration authorities.
Similarly, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Houston Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson said the scheme weaponised trust and emotional vulnerability for financial gain, pledging continued enforcement against fraud networks.
Immigration Fraud and Co-Conspirators
Court records further showed that Mba attempted to obtain U.S. permanent residency through multiple fraudulent marriages after a prior application was denied and he was ordered removed from the country.
Four other Houston residents — Grace Morisho, Rodgers Kadikilo, Kristin Smith, and Alexandra Golovko — previously pleaded guilty in connection with the case. Morisho, Kadikilo, and Smith were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 15 to 25 months, while Golovko received five years’ probation.
Mba remains in custody and is expected to face deportation proceedings upon completion of his prison sentence. He will be transferred to a federal correctional facility designated by the Bureau of Prisons.
The case underscores ongoing U.S. efforts to combat international fraud schemes and romance scams that continue to cause significant financial and emotional harm to victims.
