7 Individuals Plead Guilty in International Online 'Romance Scams'
Seven individuals from South Africa and Nigeria, who used dating websites in "romance scams" that took advantage of victims to obtain tens of millions of dollars, pleaded guilty to international online fraud and conspiracy charges, said DOJ in a Friday…
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news release. Each defendant pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and several also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit identity theft, access device fraud and theft of government funds, said Justice. The schemes, which date back to at least 2001, involved defendants using a false identity on a dating website to establish a "romantic relationship" with a victim, said DOJ. Victims were then convinced to send money or, for example, help launder money via Western Union or MoneyGram, cash counterfeit checks or fraudulently obtain merchandise.