United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced the sentencing of two Maryland men involved in a romance fraud scheme targeting elderly women. On December 17, 2024, U.S. District Court Judge Daniel M. Traynor sentenced Chinedu Ikenna Nwafor, 42, from Bowie, Maryland, to 25 months in federal prison. He will also serve three years of supervised release and pay $180,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
Nwafor's codefendant, Vitus Uzoma Uzowuru, 56, from Glendale, Maryland, was sentenced on August 8, 2024. Judge Traynor ordered time served imprisonment for approximately ten months and imposed three years of supervised release along with $50,000 in restitution. Uzowuru pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting mail fraud.
The case involves foreign actors who posed as high-ranking United States military members using fake social media profiles to deceive elderly women into sending money under false pretenses. These funds were then funneled through U.S.-based coconspirators like Nwafor and Uzowuru.
Court documents reveal that Nwafor admitted receiving a package containing a $150,000 cashier’s check from a victim in New Town, North Dakota. This was part of the fraudulent scheme where foreign actors impersonated individuals such as "General Joseph Martins" or "Diplomat David Jones." Similarly, Uzowuru received $50,000 from the same victim.
Schneider emphasized the importance of vigilance against such schemes: “This sentence shows that romance scammers will face justice... It’s also a reminder to be vigilant about protecting yourself and your loved ones against schemes like this one.”
Special Agent Alvin M. Winston Sr., commented on the exploitation involved: "These individuals preyed on the trust and emotions of vulnerable victims... Today's sentencing serves as a reminder that the FBI will continue to investigate and dismantle these scams."
Juliet Chinyere Molenda is also charged with wire fraud related to her participation in this scheme. Her trial is scheduled for July 24, 2025.
To report elder fraud or learn more about prevention efforts by the Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative or World Elder Abuse Awareness Day resources are available online.
The investigation was conducted by several agencies including the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan J. O’Konek.