Leslie Mba, a Nigerian national, has been sentenced to 19 years in US federal prison for orchestrating a $4 million international romance and business email fraud

A Nigerian national, Leslie Mba, 40, has been sentenced to 19 years in a U.S. federal prison for orchestrating an international romance fraud and business email compromise scheme that caused losses estimated at $4 million.

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The sentence was delivered by Judge David Hittner of the U.S. District Court in Texas. Mba, who is not a U.S. citizen, is also expected to face deportation after completing his jail term.

Prosecutors said that between April 2018 and December 2023, Mba collaborated with accomplices to target individuals and companies through online romance scams and hijacked business email accounts.

The scheme involved redirecting legitimate payments to accounts controlled by Mba and his associates.

Mba’s role included opening bank accounts to receive and transfer illicit funds, effectively acting as a money mule. Victims, believing they were paying legitimate vendors, lost substantial sums, totaling over $4 million.

Commenting on the case, U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei said:

“Romance scams are among the most reprehensible forms of fraud because they prey on the lonely and vulnerable, particularly elderly victims.”

The FBI Houston also condemned the operation, noting the financial and emotional damage caused to victims and assuring continued pursuit of perpetrators.

Further investigations revealed that Mba attempted to maintain his U.S. residency through multiple sham marriages after an initial immigration application was denied.

Four other co-conspirators Grace Morisho, Rodgers Kadikilo, Kristin Smith, and Alexandra Golovko—had earlier admitted involvement.

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Sentences ranged from 15 to 25 months for Morisho, Kadikilo, and Smith, while Golovko received five years’ probation.

Mba remains in custody and will be transferred to a federal correctional facility designated by the Bureau of Prisons.