US-based Nigerian jailed 19 years over $4m romance, business email fraud

2026-03-03 - 08:07

A 40-year-old Nigerian, Leslie Mba, has been sentenced to 19 years in a United States federal prison for his role in a romance scam and business email compromise scheme that defrauded victims of more than $4 million. Leslie Chinedu Mba had pleaded guilty on December 4, 2025, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit false statements in immigration documents. U.S. District Judge David Hittner handed down the sentence, ordering Mba to serve his term in federal prison. Authorities said he is not a U.S. citizen and is expected to face removal proceedings after completing his sentence. According to prosecutors, between April 2018 and December 2023, Mba and his co-conspirators carried out romance scams and business email compromise schemes targeting individuals and businesses within and outside the United States. The scheme typically began overseas, where collaborators gained unauthorised access to legitimate business email accounts and redirected payments to fraudulent bank accounts. Victims, believing they were sending funds to legitimate businesses or romantic partners, instead had their money funnelled into accounts controlled by the syndicate. Investigators said Mba and others acted as money mules, opening or using bank accounts to collect and move proceeds from the fraud. At sentencing, the court heard that the scheme resulted in losses exceeding $4 million. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei described romance scams as particularly harmful because they prey on lonely and vulnerable individuals, especially senior citizens, while also threatening the livelihood of small businesses. “Romance scams are among the lowest and most despicable forms of fraud because they prey upon the lonely and vulnerable and disproportionately victimise senior citizens,” Ganjei said. “Even worse, Mba and his confederates committed these crimes while attempting to remain in our country under false pretences by deceiving immigration authorities. Now, Mba has prison to look forward to, followed by a one-way ticket back to Nigeria,” he added. The FBI, which investigated the case alongside the Houston Police Department, said the scheme left victims financially devastated and emotionally shattered. “Romance scams cruelly manipulate trust, exploit the fear of loneliness and leave victims both financially devastated and emotionally shattered,” Hudson said, adding that the agency would continue to pursue fraudsters, FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson said. Authorities also revealed that Mba attempted to obtain U.S. permanent residency through multiple fraudulent marriages after his initial application was denied and he had been ordered removed from the country. Four other Houston residents, Grace Morisho, 30; Rodgers Kadikilo, 30; Kristin Smith, 38; and Alexandra Golovko, 36, had earlier pleaded guilty in connection with the case. Morisho, Kadikilo and Smith received sentences ranging from 15 to 25 months, while Golovko was sentenced to five years’ probation. Mba will remain in custody pending transfer to a facility to be designated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Alum prosecuted the case.