A United States federal court has sentenced a 40-year-old Nigerian, Leslie Mba, to 19 years’ imprisonment for his role in a $4 million romance scam and business email compromise scheme that spanned five years and multiple victims.

The 228-month sentence was handed down by Judge David Hittner after Mba pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to make false statements in immigration documents.

The development was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.

Mba, who is not a U.S. citizen, is also expected to face deportation proceedings after completing his prison term.

Prosecutors said that between April 2018 and December 2023, Mba and his co-conspirators ran a transnational fraud network targeting individuals and businesses through online romance scams and hijacked corporate email accounts.

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Investigators revealed that the syndicate gained unauthorised access to business email systems abroad and diverted legitimate payments into U.S.-based bank accounts under their control.

“Victims believed they were sending money to legitimate businesses, but Mba and others instead funnelled the funds to accounts they controlled,” the statement noted.

Authorities described Mba as a “money mule” who opened or used bank accounts to receive and transfer stolen funds. The court heard that total losses from the scheme exceeded $4 million.

Beyond the financial crimes, prosecutors said Mba attempted to manipulate the U.S. immigration system.

After an initial immigration application was denied and he was ordered removed from the country, he allegedly sought permanent residency through multiple fraudulent marriages.

U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei condemned the conduct in strong terms.

“Romance scams are among the lowest and most despicable forms of fraud because they prey upon the lonely and vulnerable, and disproportionately victimise senior citizens,” Ganjei said.

“Even worse, Mba and his confederates committed these crimes while attempting to remain in our country under false pretences by deceiving immigration authorities. Now, Mba has prison to look forward to, followed by a one-way ticket back to Nigeria,” he added.

Also reacting, Jason Hudson, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Houston Field Office, said the fraudsters weaponised trust to devastate their victims.

“Romance scams cruelly manipulate trust, exploit the fear of loneliness and leave victims both financially devastated and emotionally shattered,” Hudson said, vowing continued pursuit of fraud offenders.

Four other Houston residents, Grace Morisho, Rodgers Kadikilo, Kristin Smith and Alexandra Golovko, had earlier pleaded guilty in connection with the case.

Morisho, Kadikilo and Smith received prison terms ranging from 15 to 25 months, while Golovko was sentenced to five years’ probation.

Mba remains in custody and will be transferred to a federal correctional facility designated by the Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his sentence.