A Ghanaian national, Emmanuel Quamey, has been sentenced to 48 months in prison for his involvement in defrauding vulnerable and elderly victims in the United States, according to asaaseonline.com.
United States District Judge Carol Bagley Amon handed down the sentencing, which also includes a forfeiture order of $3.3 million and restitution totaling approximately $3.8 million to the victims.
Quamey, who pleaded guilty in October 2023 to conspiring to receive stolen money, was part of a scheme laundering the proceeds of romance scams, exploiting victims’ trust and companionship desires, resulting in significant financial loss.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, underscored the seriousness of the crime, condemning romance scams as callous crimes preying on vulnerable victims.
“Romance scams are callous crimes in which perpetrators steal money from vulnerable and elderly victims by taking advantage of the victims’ trust and desire to form human connections,” Peace stated.
“This sentence serves as a warning to individuals like the defendant that there are real consequences to participating in these cruel scams. This Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to bringing these fraudsters to justice and getting the victims’ money back.”
Peace emphasized the consequences for participating in such scams, affirming the commitment to bringing fraudsters to justice and recovering victims’ money.
Special Agent-in-Charge Ivan J. Arvelo of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York, commended the investigators for their efforts.
According to court filings, between September 2019 and March 2023, Quamey and his co-conspirators orchestrated a scheme receiving over $3.8 million in fraud proceeds from vulnerable U.S. victims of romance scams.
These scams involve scammers posing as potential romantic partners on social media or dating sites, tricking victims into sending money under false pretenses.
Quamey’s role was to receive and launder the victims’ money, personally receiving approximately $3.3 million wired into bank accounts he controlled.
Using multiple bank accounts in the United States and Ghana, Quamey and his co-conspirators transferred the victims’ money overseas to Ghana.
“Romance scams are callous crimes in which perpetrators steal money from vulnerable and elderly victims by taking advantage of the victims’ trust and desire to form human connections,” Peace stated.
“This sentence serves as a warning to individuals like the defendant that there are real consequences to participating in these cruel scams. This Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to bringing these fraudsters to justice and getting the victims’ money back.”