DES MOINES, IOWA — A Connecticut man convicted of wire fraud and money laundering in connection with a series of romance scams that swindled victims out of $1.5 million has been sentenced to nine years in prison, officials said.
Naabanyin Aniagyei-Cobbold, 30, was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release during a March 5 hearing in federal court in Des Moines, Iowa, according to a news release from MacKenzie Tubbs, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice.
Tubbs said Aniagyei-Cobbold played an integral part in an extensive romance scam conspiracy that used fake internet dating profiles and social media accounts to exploit victims for financial gain.
She said Aniagyei-Cobbold operated a fake company, Alpha Distributions LLC, that he used to receive more than $1.5 million, including over $400,000 from a victim living in Iowa. She said the victims sent the money believing it was going to facilitate uniting them with their partner.
“Many victims drained their retirement accounts, sold their homes and vehicles, returned to work after retirement and borrowed substantial sums from friends and family,” Tubbs said.
About 59,000 people fell victim to romance-related scams in 2014, losing over $672 million dollars, according to FBI data. Eugene Kowel, special agent in charge of the FBI Omaha Field Office, described Aniagyei-Cobbold’s case as “an egregious example.”
“Romance scammers prey on victims when they are at their most vulnerable,” Kowel said. “They exploit people by convincing them they are in a real relationship, then slowly abuse that trust to steal their life savings, often leading to bankruptcy.”
Tubbs said Aniagyei-Cobbold created and starred in a music video titled “S.C.A.M.” that contained lyrics about receiving “scam money” and “laundering it up” with “money coming in” and “living lavish.” She said the video included a shot of $100 bills spelling the word “SCAM.”
Aniagyei-Cobbold lied about the nature of Alpha Distributions LLC when the FBI confronted him and claimed it was a legitimate company used to source electronics for individuals in Africa, according to Tubbs. She said he produced false invoices and receipts in response to a federal grand jury subpoena.
Aniagyei-Cobbold also recruited and coached at least one other individual through creating a sham entity and opening bank accounts for the purpose of receiving money from romance scam victims, Tubbs said.
In addition to prison, Aniagyei-Cobbold was ordered to pay $1,554,442.46 in restitution, amounting to the total money obtained through the romance scams.
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