Crime
Nigerian Sentenced to 19 Years in US for $4M Romance Scam
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.
Police dismiss officers Anthony Obodo case has been confirmed as the Rivers State Police Command dismissed three of its officers linked to the killing of a 22-year-old University of Port Harcourt graduate, Anthony Obodo.
The State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, while parading the three officers before journalists in Port Harcourt.
According to the command, the officers were linked to the incident that occurred last Thursday along Ada George in Port Harcourt, where Obodo was shot dead.
A member of the team, an inspector who fled after the shooting, has been declared a deserter.
CP Adepoju stated that the three arrested officers were subjected to an orderly room trial. Following the conclusion of the investigation and the establishment of their culpability, they have been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force and will be charged to court.
“I am here to provide updates on some serious incidents recently recorded in the state, including the investigation into the death of one Anthony A. Obodo… Following the conclusion of the investigation and the establishment of the culpability of the officers involved… the officers being paraded today have been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force and will be charged to court,” Adepoju said.
The commissioner noted that he understood the concerns of Obodo’s family and members of the public, adding that the Command has taken appropriate disciplinary action against the police personnel involved.
Obodo, a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt who was reportedly awaiting his NYSC call-up letter, was shot during a police pursuit.
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