A Nigerian national living in the U.S. illegally and his Texas-based wife have been sentenced to a combined 25 years in federal prison after defrauding elderly Americans—many of them widows—out of more than $3 million in a heartless online romance scam.
Darlington Akporugo, a Nigerian citizen unlawfully present in the U.S., and his wife, Jasmin Sood, operated the years-long scheme out of Houston. The couple targeted vulnerable senior citizens across the country using fake online identities and false romantic relationships. Their victims were deceived into sending money, buying vehicles, renting properties, and even opening bank accounts in the scammers’ names.
One victim was manipulated into buying a luxury car and renting a home, both for the use of the criminals. Authorities later found Akporugo and Sood living in the victim’s house and driving her car.
Akporugo pleaded guilty to wire fraud in February 2025; Sood entered her plea in December 2024. On June 24, U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge sentenced Akporugo to 15 years and 8 months, and Sood to 10 years and 1 month in federal prison. Both will serve an additional three years of supervised release and must pay their victims $3.1 million in restitution.
Nigerian man’s wedding called off after he and his fiancée were arrested over a $3m+ fraud in the USA
The wedding ceremony between a Nigerian man, Darlington Akporugo, and his fiancée, Jasmin Sood, which was billed to take place tomorrow, May 25 in Houston, USA, has been called… pic.twitter.com/bKXYxVd81I
— Afrika Stories (@Afrika_Stories) May 24, 2024
The case was investigated by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. Officials say at least 25 elderly victims were identified.
Chad Plantz, special agent in charge of HSI Houston, condemned the fraud, stating: “Romance scams like this exploit our nation’s elderly and vulnerable populations out of their hard-earned retirement savings… They are often left emotionally devastated and financially ruined.”
U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei added: “Investigating and prosecuting those that perpetuate romance scams—particularly those who target the lonely elderly—will always be a priority.”
This case underscores growing concern over transnational fraud and the exploitation of Americans by criminal illegal aliens operating within U.S. borders. Akporugo’s unlawful presence and multi-year financial exploitation of the elderly demonstrate the dangers posed by those who violate both immigration and criminal law.
ICE says the swift arrest and sentencing were made possible thanks to victims who bravely came forward—sending a clear message: those who prey on vulnerable Americans will be found and held accountable.
