Nigerian National Sentenced to 19 Years in $4 Million Romance Scam and Business Email Compromise Conspiracy

HOUSTON, Texas — A 40-year-old Nigerian citizen who unlawfully resided in Houston has been sentenced to 228 months in federal prison for his central role in a multimillion-dollar romance scam and business email compromise conspiracy, while also attempting to secure U.S. permanent residency through fraudulent marriages.

Leslie Chinedu Mba pleaded guilty on Dec. 4, 2025, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to make false statements in immigration documents. U.S. District Judge David Hittner imposed the 19-year sentence following findings that the scheme caused more than $4 million in victim losses.

According to court records and evidence presented at sentencing, from April 2018 through December 2023, Mba and co-conspirators operating both inside and outside the United States executed coordinated fraud operations targeting individuals and businesses. The conspiracy relied heavily on two primary schemes: business email compromise (BEC) and online romance fraud.

In the business email compromise scheme, overseas actors gained unauthorized access to legitimate business email accounts. Once inside, conspirators monitored communications and redirected outgoing payments to bank accounts controlled by members of the fraud network. Victims believed they were transferring funds to trusted vendors or business partners. Instead, payments were diverted to fraudulent accounts.

Mba functioned as a domestic financial facilitator within the conspiracy. Evidence showed that he opened or used existing bank accounts to receive fraud proceeds and moved funds through layered transactions to obscure their origin. This money mule activity was essential to converting electronically stolen funds into accessible cash and distributing proceeds among conspirators.

The romance scam component involved building fictitious online relationships with victims, many of whom were elderly or financially vulnerable. After gaining emotional trust, conspirators solicited money under fabricated pretexts, including medical emergencies, travel expenses, and investment opportunities. Federal investigators documented significant financial and emotional harm to victims.

At sentencing, the court reviewed evidence showing that total verified losses exceeded $4 million. Federal sentencing guidelines account for both the dollar amount of fraud and the number of victims involved, as well as aggravating factors such as sophisticated means and abuse of trust.

In addition to financial crimes, Mba attempted to obtain lawful permanent resident status through multiple fraudulent marriages after a prior immigration application was denied and he was ordered removed from the United States. The false marriage filings formed the basis of the conspiracy to make false statements in immigration documents charge.

As a non-citizen, Mba is expected to face removal proceedings following completion of his prison sentence.

Four additional Houston-based defendants previously pleaded guilty in connection with the conspiracy. Grace Morisho, 30, Rodgers Kadikilo, 30, and Kristin Smith, 38, received sentences ranging from 15 to 25 months in prison. Alexandra Golovko, 36, was sentenced to five years of probation.

Mba will remain in federal custody pending designation to a Bureau of Prisons facility.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Alum prosecuted the case.

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