Federal Jury Convicts Man Who Posed As Woman In Online Romance Scheme

WILMINGTON, N.C. — A Nigerian man has been convicted in federal court on charges stemming from a series of cyber fraud schemes that targeted victims across the United States.

A federal jury found Saheed Sunday Owolabi, 34, guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Prosecutors said Owolabi participated in romance scams and other online fraud operations that stole more than $120,000 from at least one victim in Eastern North Carolina and defrauded hundreds more nationwide.

“Fraud schemes like this drain millions from hardworking people in our communities,” U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle said in a statement. “We will continue to work with our federal partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who abuse the anonymity of the internet to enrich themselves by stealing from our citizens.”

According to trial evidence, Owolabi posed online as a woman to build relationships with men in the United States and convince them to send money and personal information. Prosecutors said he and his co-conspirators also used bank accounts provided by victims to move money collected from other fraudulent operations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, investigators said fraudsters involved in the scheme obtained information about a pending home closing and sent spoofed emails directing the victim to wire funds to an account they controlled. The money was funneled through accounts linked to Owolabi, who then instructed others on how to move and distribute the proceeds, including sending portions to himself.

Federal agents also recovered chat messages in which Owolabi acknowledged operating a romance scam — only to discover he had been communicating with another fraudster. That individual mocked his attempts and told him to “learn how to do a clean job,” according to court filings.

Owolabi faces up to 40 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for January 2026.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation handled the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad DeVoe is prosecuting the case.