Nigerian Man Jailed in US Over $1.6 Million Romance Scam

A Nigerian man, Adetomiwa Seun Akindele, has been sentenced to 71 months in a United States federal prison for orchestrating a romance scam that cost a Colorado woman more than $1.6 million.

The conviction, which has drawn wide attention both in Nigeria and abroad, underscores the growing global crackdown on internet fraud and romance scams that continue to trap unsuspecting victims.

Court records revealed that Akindele posed online as a caring and trustworthy companion, carefully grooming his victim over time before manipulating her into transferring vast sums of money under false pretenses. The woman, who believed she was in a genuine relationship, was deceived into believing that the financial transfers were investments and support for her supposed partner’s fabricated emergencies.

Investigators detailed how the scam was methodically carried out, with Akindele exploiting emotional vulnerability to tighten his grip on the victim. The scheme eventually unraveled after the woman grew suspicious and reported the matter, triggering a full-scale investigation that traced the funds back to Akindele.

The sentencing, handed down in a U.S. district court, not only included the prison term but also a stern order that Akindele be deported to Nigeria immediately after serving his 71 months behind bars. Authorities described his actions as “heartless and calculated,” warning that romance fraud remains one of the most devastating forms of financial crime, as it preys not only on people’s money but also on their trust and emotions.

The case has sparked renewed debate about the rise of online scams linked to Nigeria, a reputation that has cast a shadow over the country’s vibrant tech and entrepreneurial scene. While many Nigerians continue to excel globally in education, business, and innovation, the persistence of cases like Akindele’s reinforces damaging stereotypes.

For the victim, the judgment brings some measure of justice, though the scars of betrayal and financial loss may linger for years. For Akindele, the prison gates will eventually open — but only to return him to Nigeria in disgrace, his American dream shattered by greed and deception.