A Nigerian national has been sentenced to 19 years in federal prison for his involvement in a significant fraud operation that involved romance scams and business email compromises, resulting in losses exceeding $4 million.
Leslie Chinedu Mba, 40, pleaded guilty on December 4, 2025, to two counts: conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to make false statements in immigration documents. The court has ordered him to serve a total of 228 months in prison.
From April 2018 to December 2023, Mba collaborated with co-conspirators both domestically and abroad to execute scams targeting individuals and businesses through fraudulent emails and romance schemes. The fraud typically initiated overseas, where accomplices illegally accessed business email accounts and redirected payments to fraudulent accounts controlled by Mba and his associates.
Victims, believing they were engaging in legitimate transactions, inadvertently transferred funds that were instead siphoned into accounts managed by Mba and his team. Mba and his co-conspirators also operated as “money mules,” using or opening bank accounts to facilitate the movement of fraudulently obtained funds, contributing to losses of over $4 million.
Beyond the fraud allegations, prosecutors revealed that Mba attempted to secure permanent residency in the U.S. through a series of fraudulent marriages after his initial immigration application was rejected and he was ordered to leave the country.
Four co-defendants connected to Mba’s case, all hailing from the Houston area, have already pleaded guilty. Their sentences range from 15 to 25 months in prison, while one defendant received five years of probation.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei condemned romance scams for preying on vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly, stating, “These online scams jeopardized the livelihood of family-run businesses and exploited trust within our economy.” He emphasized that Mba’s actions would lead to his imprisonment followed by deportation back to Nigeria.
Jason Hudson, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Houston division, expressed particular concern about the targeting of elderly Americans, noting, “Romance scams cruelly manipulate trust and leave victims financially devastated and emotionally shattered.” He assured that the FBI would continue its efforts to combat such fraudulent schemes.
Following his sentence, Mba, who is not a U.S. citizen, is expected to face deportation proceedings. He will remain in custody until he is transferred to a federal prison facility.
The investigation into the case was conducted by the FBI, with assistance from the Houston Police Department.
