Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentencing of three individuals involved in a Ghana-based romance scam targeting elderly victims in the United States. Sadia Alhassan, 35, a citizen of Ghana residing in Tallahassee, Florida, received an 18-month federal prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release. Shawn William Smith, 26, also from Tallahassee, was sentenced to one day in prison and three years of supervised release with community service obligations. Mohammed Saaminu Zuberu, 39, a dual U.S.-Ghanaian citizen living in Aldie, Virginia, was sentenced to approximately five and a half months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.
"Given our large elder population, Florida experiences far too many instances of fraud against unsuspecting, vulnerable seniors through overtures of affection," said U.S. Attorney Coody. The defendants will collectively pay $581,261.67 in restitution to their victims.
The scheme involved unknown individuals in Ghana who used phone and online platforms between March 2019 and March 2022 to deceive elderly victims into sending money under the pretense of romantic relationships. Alhassan and Smith acted as intermediaries or "money mules" for these scammers without directly communicating with the victims.
Juan A. Vargas from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service stated that there is "no tolerance for those who are knowingly involved with defrauding citizens throughout the United States in a romance scam." Nicholas Ingegno from HSI Tallahassee highlighted that "targeting the elderly for financial gain is morally reprehensible."
Court records show Zuberu facilitated communication between Alhassan-Smith and the scammers by relaying USPS receipt information regarding packages sent by victims.
Ron Loecker from IRS – Criminal Investigation’s Tampa Field Office warned about being cautious when sending money to unfamiliar individuals: “These manipulators preyed on the good nature of their elderly victims."
Authorities revealed that multiple business entities were used illegally to transfer funds without appropriate licenses under Florida law. These activities resulted in fraudulent gains exceeding $500,000.
The investigation was conducted jointly by several agencies including the United States Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen prosecuted this case.
For those aged 60 or older experiencing financial fraud, support is available via the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). The Justice Department offers resources through its Office for Victims of Crime and other avenues detailed on its website.
Further details about elder justice initiatives can be found at www.justice.gov/elderjustice or through consumer protection resources at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.