US Court Jails Nigerian Man 15 Years Over $1.5m Romance Scam, Money Laundering

A United States federal court has sentenced Nigerian national Saheed Sunday Owolabi to 15 years in prison for his role in a fraud and money laundering scheme that targeted victims across the country.

Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II handed down the sentence after a jury found Owolabi guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle in a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

According to prosecutors, Owolabi and his collaborators orchestrated online romance scams by posing as women to build relationships with men in the United States. The group used these false identities to persuade victims to send money and disclose sensitive financial information.

Authorities said the operation extended beyond romance scams. The defendant and his co-conspirators also used bank accounts belonging to victims to move funds obtained from other fraudulent activities, laundering more than $1.5 million. One victim in the Eastern District of North Carolina alone lost over $120,000.

During sentencing, Judge Myers described Owolabi as a leader within a coordinated criminal network that carried out sophisticated financial crimes and caused significant hardship to victims.

In a statement, Boyle said the case reflects ongoing efforts to prosecute individuals involved in fraud schemes targeting U.S. residents, regardless of their location.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, which led the investigation, said the case highlights the scale and complexity of international fraud operations. Charlotte-based Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis noted that such schemes often rely on coordinated, cross-border networks.

Prosecutors also told the court that evidence recovered from Owolabi’s phone showed how proceeds of the fraud were spent.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad DeVoe.