A Cincinnati man has pleaded guilty to an online catfishing conspiracy that scammed victims out of more than $2 million.
Richard Opoku Agyemang, 41, was found guilty of laundering the proceeds of an online romance fraud scheme.
A press release from the Southern District of Ohio’s United States Attorney’s Office alleges that others involved in the romance fraud scheme would steal photos and information to create false dating profiles on websites, establishing online relationships with a number of people.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Agyemang managed the accounts that received victims’ payments through wire transfers and check deposits. The victims thought they were helping support their supposed romantic partner with things like medical expenses when they sent the money.
Agyemang was accused of transferring $32,000 of fraud proceeds in 2022. He was charged in federal court in April 2024 and he pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering related to that 2022 transfer. According to court documents, he was charged in an 11-count indictment in 2024 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, engaging in monetary transactions involving criminal proceeds, money laundering and making false statements. Agyemang now faces a sentence of up to 41 months in prison.
According to the United States Federal Trade Commission, victims lost a total of approximately $547 million to romance scams in 2021, an 80% jump from 2020. Romance scammers often claim to be in the military, working overseas, or stranded without a visa to trick victims into sending gift cards, cryptocurrency or other funds.
The press release from the United States Attorney’s office makes no mention of others charged in connection with the same conspiracy.