Acting US Attorney Michael M. Simpson has revealed that a Nigerian national, 40-year-old Daniel Chima Inweregbu, admitted guilt on August 21, 2025, before United States District Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown, over his involvement in a romance scam valued at more than $405,000.
According to Shane M. Jones, Public Information Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Louisiana, Inweregbu entered a guilty plea on two charges against him. These include conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, as well as the use of a false identity in furtherance of the scheme, contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341, 1342, 1343, and 1349 (Count 1). He also pled guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, under Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1956(a)(1)(B)(i), 1957, and 1956(h) (Count 12).
The guilty plea arose from Inweregbu’s role in a well-organized romance scam targeting unsuspecting American victims.
Between July 1, 2017, and December 16, 2018, Inweregbu and his accomplices devised and executed a fraudulent operation designed to deceive American women, four of whom were directly identified, into parting with money and valuables. They achieved this by creating fake online identities and offering false promises.
Investigators revealed that Inweregbu and his partners set up online profiles on social media and dating platforms, posing as “Larry Pham,” a fictional middle-aged man. The fabricated persona was used to lure middle-aged female victims.
Using messaging platforms and email, Inweregbu and his co-conspirators initiated contact with victims, presenting themselves as potential romantic partners. Once trust was established, they manipulated the women into emotional attachments with “Larry Pham.”
“Once the relationship was established, the defendant and his co-conspirators, posing as Larry Pham, requested that victims send them money under various scams and ruses to domestic bank accounts they opened and managed.
“Inweregbu’s scheme resulted in actual and intended losses to the victims of over $405,000. Thereafter, he and his co-conspirators laundered the funds by conducting financial transactions using the proceeds of their wire and mail fraud scheme, designed in whole or in part to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the proceeds, by directing the victims’ funds through intermediaries,” the statement noted.
In terms of penalties, Inweregbu faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a supervised release period of up to three years, and fines reaching $250,000 for Count 1. For Count 12, he also risks another 20-year prison term, three years of supervised release, and fines up to $500,000. Additionally, he is required to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment for each count.
Sentencing before Judge Brown has been set for December 4, 2025.
What you should know
Daniel Chima Inweregbu’s case highlights how international fraud rings exploit emotional vulnerabilities through romance scams.
By using a fabricated persona, “Larry Pham,” he and his accomplices deceived multiple American women, causing over $405,000 in losses. His guilty plea exposes the depth of such schemes and the severe penalties awaiting offenders under US law.
