United States v. Kofi Osei

• Case Summary: From 2016 to 2020, Osei used fake passports to open 77 bank accounts in the names of others. He worked with co-conspirators who created fictitious online dating profiles to deceive and gain the trust of victims, who were primarily elderly individuals seeking companionship. Through these scams, Osei received funds from the victims and quickly withdrew the money. He coordinated with his co-conspirators, sending a portion of the fraud proceeds back to them. The money-laundering scheme amassed over $8 million in fraudulent proceeds, with $4 million directly going into the bank accounts controlled by Osei.

• Charges: Osei pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including making false statements to a bank, wire fraud, and money laundering

  • False Statements (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1014)

  • Wire Fraud (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349)

  • Money Laundering (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1957)

• Judgment Result: Osei was sentenced to 54 months in prison and two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $4,122,558 in restitution and forfeiture

Source : https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/money-launderer-sentenced-8-million-romance-scam-fraud-sche me