US-Based Ghanaian Sentenced To More Than Five Years In Prison For Orchestrating Romance Scams
- 34-year-old Ghanaian man set to spend more than five years in prison in the United States for orchestrating romance scams
- He is also expected to pay approximately $2.2 million in restitution to 11 victims who he had scammed
- The prosecution said Bandie would often use online dating sites and social media to target elderly victims
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A 34-year-old Ghanaian national in the United States of America, Wigbert Bandie, is facing a prison term of over 5 years for orchestrating a $ 2 million romance scam.
According to American news reports, his scam targeted elderly victims.
Source: Getty Images
The prosecution disclosed in a US Federal court that he used online dating sites and social media platforms to deceive his victims, including one who lost a staggering $280,000.
As part of his plea agreement, Bandie will serve a full prison sentence and would be required to pay approximately $2.2 million in restitution to 11 victims.
Two Ghanaians sentenced over romance scams
Two Ghanaian nationals have been sentenced in the US and ordered to pay $581,261.67 each in restitution after alleged romance scams targeting elderly Americans.
The accused are Sadia Alhassan, 35, and Mohammed Saaminu Zuberu, 39.
Reports from America noted that one other, Shawn William Smith (26), was convicted over the scheme that defrauded vulnerable US citizens by manipulating them into sending money.
Alhassan, who resided in Tallahassee in Florida on a student visa, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment and three years' supervised release.
Zuberu, a dual US-Ghanaian citizen living in Aldie, Virginia, was sentenced to five and a half months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Smith was sentenced to serve one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, including 150 hours of community service.
The scam operated from March 2019 to March 2022. Based in Ghana, they reportedly targeted elderly US citizens through phone calls and online platforms, creating fabricated relationships to deceive the victims.
Hajia4Reall sentenced for $2M romance scam role
YEN.com.gh previously reported that Hajia4Reall, a singer and socialite, was sentenced for her role in a $2M romance scam in the US.
The entertainer was given a one-year and a-day jail term after she had earlier pleaded guilty to her charges.
The jail term concluded the case, which started with the arrest of Hajia4Reall in the UK almost two years ago.
Proofread by Samuel Gitonga, Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh
Source: YEN.com.gh
