GLENDALE, May 8 (AGCNewsNet) – A Nigerian citizen residing in Glendale, Arizona, has been sentenced to 17 months in prison for his involvement in an online romance scam network that laundered more than $500,000 in fraud proceeds through structured bank transactions, U.S. authorities said.

Kingsley Sebastian Ibhadore, 40, a lawful U.S. resident, pleaded guilty to Conspiring to Commit Structuring after investigators found he deliberately withdrew scam proceeds in amounts below the federal threshold that triggers automatic bank reporting, in an attempt to evade detection.

The U.S. Department of Justice said Ibhadore acted as a “money mule” for a wider criminal ring responsible for duping victims through online romance scams. These scams involve fraudsters impersonating romantic partners online to exploit victims emotionally and financially under false pretenses, including medical emergencies or investment opportunities.

Between July 2019 and March 2020, Ibhadore used 24 bank accounts, opened with fake names and forged passports, to move funds generated from the scams. He was also caught on bank surveillance footage conducting cash transactions using fraudulent identities at several banks across Arizona.

Despite being aware the money stemmed from fraudulent activity, Ibhadore continued executing cash withdrawals and deposits specifically structured to bypass federal currency transaction reporting requirements.

“This sentencing sends a strong message that those who support and facilitate financial crimes—especially schemes that prey on vulnerable individuals—will be held accountable,” the DOJ stated in its release.

Romance scams have increasingly become a preferred tactic among cybercriminals due to the high emotional and financial toll on victims. The FBI estimates that thousands of Americans lose millions of dollars each year to such fraud.

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Source: ADI