Scam Message:
Angelina, also known as Ijeoma Okoro, is a romance scammer recently sentenced to ten years in federal prison and ordered to pay over $2.2 million in restitution for her involvement in defrauding elderly victims through romance schemes. Okoro, along with her co-conspirators, targeted victims on dating sites like Match.com and Zoosk. They created fake personas and established romantic relationships with their victims, who were often divorced or widowed.
Once trust was established, the scammers fabricated stories about needing financial assistance due to work-related travel or family emergencies. These manipulative narratives convinced the victims to send substantial amounts of money to bank accounts controlled by Okoro and her associates. The funds were then distributed among the conspirators, with Okoro keeping a portion for herself.
The investigation, led by IRS Criminal Investigation with assistance from the FBI and other federal agencies, revealed the extensive nature of the scheme. Okoro was convicted on counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering after a seven-day trial in December 2023. At her sentencing, the judge noted that Okoro had committed perjury during her trial testimony by falsely denying her involvement in the conspiracy.
Other co-defendants in the case received varying sentences, but one remains a fugitive. The case underscores the growing threat of online romance scams, particularly targeting vulnerable individuals.