COLUMBUS, Ohio — Five suspects are in custody and accused of scamming more than 100 elderly Americans they met on dating sites out of $15 million — while bragging on social media about living like kings in West Africa.
In brazen posts, two of the alleged con artists wore shirts proclaiming “Business is Business” while standing in front of a red Lamborghini that they allegedly bought with the loot.
Two alleged romance scammers pose with “Business is Business” shirts in front of a Lamborghini. Federal Evidence
A fleet of luxury cars is shown in a picture allegedly posted to social media by a perpetrator. Federal Evidence“They engaged in highly advanced techniques using artificial intelligence-generated videos in order to engage people using false personas, developing close personal relationships with them, and ultimately stealing their money,” Northern Ohio US Attorney David Toepfer told reporters. “Once they established trust, they used false pretenses and stories about vast inheritances of money, gold, or diamonds, and then convinced these elderly Americans to help finance bogus legal proceedings in the nation of Ghana.”
In one case, a 74-year-old man lost $1.1 million after attempting to help his fake love interest obtain gems that she purpotedly inherited — with the victim emptying his bank accounts before his correspondent broke off all contact.
The quintet will face federal charges — with their online postings expected to be entered as evidence of how they spent the ill-gotten riches.
Three suspects — one a US citizen — are already in federal custody. Two others are under arrest in Ghana and facing extradition.
The busts were announced at an Ohio press conference touting the wide-ranging work of Vice President JD Vance’s anti-fraud task force — which has focused largely on social services ripoffs.
A mansion used by the suspects is shown, surrounded by ramshackle huts. Federal EvidenceAt Vance’s suggestion, the FBI launched a “most wanted fraudsters” site Thursday that names and shames various offenders as part of a broader attempt to restore social trust and deterrence.
Images allegedly posted by the romance-scam conspirators showed off jewelry, luxury handbags, a fleet of expensive cars and even a Ghanaian mansion with an in-ground swimming pool, surrounded by ramshackle huts.
An alleged con man flashes middle fingers while standing astride two luxury cars.
The conspirators also bought a Cybertruck, a Mercedes and a BMW, all of which have been seized, according to authorities.
“These indictments send a stark message and warning to criminals everywhere that we will not tolerate the victimization of our elderly loved ones and neighbors, and we will hunt you down to the ends of the earth to ensure that you are brought to justice and will never benefit from your criminal activity,” Toepfer said.
Other images posted online by the ring show jewelry and luxury handbags.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel also traveled to Ohio’s capital city to announce the arrests — an unusual accomplishment in online scam cases, which are notoriously difficult to prosecute.
The bust is part of a broader Trump administration focus on fighting fraud — associated with Vance’s “czar” role coordinating federal efforts.
“As the vice president said, the task force will go after all fraud – no matter how big or small,” a Vance spokesman said. “The vice president’s task force continues to work tirelessly to expose fraud and ensure that the most vulnerable in our society do not fall victim to fraudsters.”
