Press Release

Romance scam conspiracy cost victims more than $2M

Salt Lake City, Utah - Clinton Chukudi Uchendu, 26, of Dunwoody, GA, was sentenced today to over two years imprisonment, and ordered to pay $170,000 in restitution after he helped scam hundreds of romance fraud victims out of millions of dollars and personally moved $299,000.

In March 2024, a federal jury convicted Uchendu for his involvement in a romance scam conspiracy that cost victims more than $2 million. He was found guilty of conspiracy to commit money laundering, mail fraud, and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from February 2018 to July 2018, Uchendu provided U.S. based accounts to collect money from victims. Uchendu moved the funds to conceal the origin and destination of funds, often in a complex manner. The object of the conspiracy was accomplished though social manipulators, referred to as "Yahoo Boys," who set up fake profiles online, developed relationships with their victims, gained the victims trust and then asked the victims for money using a variety of false pretenses. "Yahoo Boys" usually operate overseas, in this case, Nigeria, pretending to be United States soldiers, international businessmen, or celebrities. "Yahoo Boys" rely on their coconspirators in the United States, who have U.S. bank accounts to assist them. These individuals are referred to as "pickers." As a "picker," Uchendu provided accounts to collect funds from the victims and to add layers to conceal the source and destination of the funds, to avoid being flagged by banks. Uchendu collected money into bank accounts and then laundered the funds to Nigeria or other destinations. For the time period March 13, 2018 through July 31, 2018, the United States has calculated that the whole group caused $2.4 million in losses to victims.

Uchendu's co-defendant, Princess Eziyi, is scheduled to be sentenced August 26, 2024, at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.

"Uchendu caused profound and permanent harm to victims. Many suffered significant financial loss in their final years of life and are faced with emotional trauma," said U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah. "My office is committed to protecting our citizens, and with our law our enforcement partners, we will prosecute these crimes to seek justice for the victims and deter others from committing fraud."

"Scammers operating under the guise of companionship and romance are especially cruel because of the emotional and financial toll on the victims, many of whom are seniors," said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI. "The FBI is committed to holding perpetrators accountable, in addition to conducting prevention efforts through outreach and education."

The case was investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office.

Assistant United States Attorneys Carl D. LeSueur and Stewart M. Young of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.

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Updated July 23, 2024