Cincinnati, OH, June 15, 2024 – De-love Kofi Amuzu, 25, of Fairfield, Ohio, has been sentenced to 78 months in prison by a U.S. District Court for his involvement as a money launderer in a romance fraud conspiracy that exploited elderly individuals seeking companionship online.
Court documents revealed that members of the conspiracy created fake online dating profiles using stolen photographs and fabricated information. They engaged with the victims through chats, texts, and phone calls, pretending to be the person depicted in the fraudulent profiles. Often, they claimed to be living abroad to justify why they couldn’t meet in person.
The conspirators persuaded victims to transfer substantial amounts of money to accounts controlled by Amuzu. They also instructed victims to mail cash or valuable items, such as Rolex watches and iPhones, to him. Amuzu then laundered the funds to accounts in Ghana. Investigators traced over $1.1 million in fraud proceeds through Amuzu’s accounts. He has been ordered to pay $835,487.65 in restitution.
“Several victims lost so much money to the scheme that they were forced to declare bankruptcy,” stated Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. “Anyone who suspects they or a loved one is a victim of such a fraud can report it by calling the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 or visit the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative website at www.Justice.gov/elderjustice.”
A federal grand jury indicted Amuzu in 2022. He pleaded guilty on February 2, 2024, to conspiring to launder money. His case was highlighted in October 2022 as part of the Justice Department’s National Elder Justice Sweep, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about fraudulent schemes targeting the elderly.
The sentence was announced by Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Butler County Prosecutor Michael T. Gmoser; and Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones. U.S. Attorney Parker also acknowledged the contributions of Garrett Baker and Susan Monnin from the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office, as well as Investigator Steve Isgro. Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia represented the United States in this case.
