A Nigerian, Darlington Akporugo, and his wife, Jasmin Sood, have been sentenced to jail for perpetrating a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme that preyed on elderly Americans.
Akporugo, 47, and Sood, 37, were sentenced in late June to more than 15 and 10 years behind bars, respectively.
The information of the sentence of the couple who are illegal immigrants and reside in Houston was passed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
ICE reports that Akporugo, identified as the ringleader, was sentenced to 188 months, while Sood received 121 months.
It said that both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after running a years-long scam that conned elderly victims—many of them widows—out of more than $3 million.
According to Court’s records, Akporugo posed as a romantic interest online, using fake names and stories to convince older women to send him money, purchase luxury goods, and open lines of credit.
In one instance, a victim was convinced to purchase a luxury vehicle and rent a mansion—both of which the couple used for themselves, the report said.
It added that the couple’s arrest came while they were driving the car and living in the rented home funded by one of their victims.
It was said that victims told painful stories of being manipulated with elaborate lies and false promises, only to watch their life savings disappear.
Law enforcement identified more than 25 victims across the country, from Chicago to Kentucky.
The stolen funds were funneled through shell companies and hidden accounts that Sood helped create using aliases and disguises, according to ICE.
