A Nigerian couple's Houston wedding was canceled after their arrest for allegedly defrauding elderly Americans of $3.123 million. Darlington Akporugo and Jasmin Sood face charges of wire fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy
A Nigerian man's wedding to his fiancée, set for May 25 in Houston, has been abruptly canceled following their arrest over alleged involvement in a $3.123 million fraud scheme. Darlington Akporugo and Jasmin Sood were apprehended in April, accused of defrauding over a dozen elderly Americans who believed they were in online romantic relationships with Akporugo.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security alleges the couple committed mail and wire fraud from 2015 to 2022, targeting widowed seniors through social networking and dating platforms. They allegedly built trust through emails, texts, and calls, convincing victims to transfer large sums of money to accounts controlled by Akporugo and Sood. In some cases, they even met victims in person, further manipulating them into handing over banking access.
The charges against Akporugo also include aggravated identity theft and fraud with an access device, leading to losses of approximately $3.123 million from at least 13 victims. If convicted, the couple could face up to 30 years in prison for each wire fraud count and conspiracy, with Akporugo facing additional time for identity theft and access device fraud.
Nigerians reacted to the news with a mix of disbelief and disdain. One commenter noted, “It’s now operation who snitches fast,” while another sarcastically remarked on the couple’s pre-wedding photos. Some criticized the glorification of such individuals, calling them "Bonnie and Clyde," while others condemned the pain inflicted on the victims.
