A 40-year-old Nigerian national, Leslie Chinedu Mba, has been sentenced to 19 years in a United States federal prison for his role in a romance scam and business email compromise scheme that defrauded victims of more than $4 million.
Mba pleaded guilty on December 4, 2025, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to make false statements in immigration documents. U.S. District Judge David Hittner handed down the sentence and ordered that he serve time in federal custody. Authorities said he is not a U.S. citizen and will face removal proceedings after completing his sentence.
Prosecutors stated that between April 2018 and December 2023, Mba and his co-conspirators executed schemes targeting individuals and businesses in and outside the United States. The operation involved gaining unauthorized access to legitimate business email accounts and redirecting payments to fraudulent bank accounts.
Victims, believing they were transferring funds to genuine businesses or romantic partners, instead sent money to accounts controlled by the syndicate. Investigators said Mba and others operated as money mules, opening and managing bank accounts to receive and move illicit proceeds.
The court heard that total losses from the scheme exceeded $4 million. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei described romance scams as particularly harmful because they exploit vulnerable individuals and small businesses.
“Romance scams are among the lowest and most despicable forms of fraud because they prey upon the lonely and vulnerable and disproportionately victimize senior citizens,” Ganjei said. He added that Mba committed the crimes while attempting to remain in the U.S. through alleged deception of immigration authorities.
The FBI investigated the case alongside the Houston Police Department. Officials said the fraud left victims financially devastated and emotionally affected. Authorities also revealed that Mba attempted to secure U.S. permanent residency through multiple fraudulent marriages after his initial application was denied and he had been ordered removed.
Four other Houston residents — Grace Morisho (30), Rodgers Kadikilo (30), Kristin Smith (38), and Alexandra Golovko (36) — previously 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 awaiting transfer to a federal prison facility. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Alum prosecuted the case.