By Gwurld4026 
$3 Million Scam: Nigerian Socialite’s Wedding Day Arrest
Nigerian socialite Darlington Akporugo, 47, has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a $3 million romance scam targeting over 25 individuals, predominantly elderly and vulnerable, across the United States. His arrest occurred in early 2024, just hours before his planned wedding to fiancée Jasmin Sood, following a multi-year investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Operating from Houston, Akporugo and his co-conspirators engaged victims through fraudulent online relationships, convincing them to transfer funds to bank accounts under his control. He has admitted to charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, as well as aiding and abetting wire fraud.
ICE Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz highlighted the severity of the crimes, stating that Akporugo and his associates “preyed on the vulnerability of the elderly and recently widowed to defraud them of their hard-earned life savings.” Akporugo, who is in the U.S. illegally, faces up to 25 years in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for June 6.