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A Cincinnati romance scam case resulted in a 41-month federal prison sentence for Richard Opoku Agyemang, 41, after he laundered more than $2 million from victims involved in an international online fraud scheme. Prosecutors said the scam targeted older people and vulnerable individuals seeking relationships on dating websites. Conspirators used fake identities and stolen photos to build trust before requesting money for fabricated emergencies. Agyemang used U.S. bank accounts to receive and transfer the funds to other accounts domestically and overseas. The court ordered him to pay nearly $1.4 million in restitution to victims and additional restitution to the Small Business Administration.
The Cincinnati romance scam case ended with a federal prison sentence for a local man involved in laundering millions from online fraud victims.
The romance scam targeted vulnerable people across the United States, many of whom lost life savings after being manipulated through online relationships.
A federal judge has sentenced Richard Opoku Agyemang, 41, of Cincinnati, to 41 months in prison for his role in laundering money tied to a large online romance fraud conspiracy. The scheme scammed dozens of victims out of more than $2 million, according to federal prosecutors.
The sentence was announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio following proceedings in U.S. District Court. Court records show that Agyemang helped move fraud proceeds through bank accounts he controlled in the United States before transferring funds to other accounts domestically and overseas.
Authorities said the operation relied on fake identities and emotional manipulation to convince victims to send money. The scheme continued for years and left several victims facing severe financial losses.
Cincinnati romance scam targeted vulnerable victims
Investigators say the Cincinnati romance scam targeted people searching for companionship on dating websites. Many victims were older people or recently bereaved individuals who were particularly vulnerable to emotional manipulation.
According to federal prosecutors, conspirators created fake profiles using stolen photographs and fabricated personal information. These profiles were used to establish online romantic relationships with unsuspecting victims.
After building trust, the scammers requested financial help. Victims were told the money was needed for urgent expenses such as:
- Medical bills
- Travel costs
- Legal fees
- Access to supposed inheritances
Many victims believed they were helping a romantic partner in distress. Instead, they were sending money to accounts controlled by the fraud network.
Victims transferred funds through wire transfers or by depositing checks into bank accounts connected to Agyemang. Court documents show that more than $2 million moved through those accounts, affecting dozens of victims nationwide.
According to federal officials, the emotional manipulation and long-term communication made the fraud particularly damaging. Victims often continued sending money for months or even years.
Financial devastation caused by the Cincinnati romance scam
The financial damage from the Cincinnati romance scam extended far beyond simple monetary losses. Victims described severe personal consequences resulting from the deception.
According to investigators, some victims:
- Sold their homes or vehicles
- Cashed in life insurance policies
- Drained retirement savings such as 401(k) accounts
- Maxed out credit cards
These decisions were made under the belief that they were helping someone they loved or planned to meet in person.
Local reporting by media outlets including WLWT described how some victims lost hundreds of thousands of dollars during the scheme.
Authorities say romance scams often exploit emotional vulnerability rather than technical hacking skills. Instead of stealing passwords or data, scammers focus on building trust and manipulating victims into voluntarily sending money.
Federal investigators warn that these scams have become increasingly sophisticated and often involve organized networks operating across multiple countries.
International connections behind the Cincinnati romance scam
Prosecutors said the Cincinnati romance scam was not limited to the United States. Several individuals involved in the conspiracy were believed to be located overseas, particularly in Ghana.
Because Agyemang lived in the United States, investigators say he played a key role in the operation. He was able to open American bank accounts where victims deposited funds.
Authorities said he then transferred those funds to other accounts both in the U.S. and abroad while keeping a portion for himself.
This type of arrangement is common in international fraud operations. Individuals located in the United States can move money more easily through domestic banking systems, making it harder for victims and investigators to trace.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Agyemang was federally charged in April 2024 and later pleaded guilty in September 2025 to one count of money laundering tied to fraud proceeds.
The guilty plea allowed prosecutors to pursue sentencing for his role in handling funds generated by the broader fraud network.
Additional fraud involving pandemic relief funds
In addition to laundering money from the Cincinnati romance scam, prosecutors said Agyemang committed a separate financial crime during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Court documents show that he fraudulently obtained a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan through the Small Business Administration. The loan was valued at nearly $21,000 and was later forgiven.
Authorities said the loan application included false information intended to secure pandemic relief funds.
The court ordered Agyemang to repay restitution as part of his sentence, including:
- Nearly $1.4 million to identified victims of the romance fraud scheme
- Approximately $20,800 to the Small Business Administration
Officials say restitution orders aim to recover some financial losses for victims, although full recovery is often difficult in international fraud cases.
Federal investigators warn romance scams are growing
Law enforcement agencies continue to warn that romance scams remain one of the fastest-growing forms of online fraud.
These schemes often involve complex international networks that rely on emotional manipulation rather than technological attacks. Scammers frequently operate through:
- Dating apps
- Social media platforms
- Messaging services
Authorities encourage anyone who suspects they may be a victim of romance fraud to report the crime to federal agencies such as the Internet Crime Complaint Center or the Federal Trade Commission.
Investigators say early reporting can help financial institutions trace transactions and potentially freeze stolen funds before they disappear through international transfers.
Officials involved in the investigation included the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which helped track financial transactions tied to the fraud network.
The case highlights how local financial facilitators can play a critical role in global online scams.
FAQs
What was the Cincinnati romance scam case about?
The Cincinnati romance scam involved a money-laundering operation connected to an online dating fraud scheme that targeted vulnerable victims. Scammers used fake identities to build relationships and convince victims to send money for false emergencies.
Who was sentenced in the Cincinnati romance scam case?
Richard Opoku Agyemang, a 41-year-old Cincinnati resident, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison. Prosecutors said he helped launder more than $2 million obtained from victims across the United States.
How did the Cincinnati romance scam operate?
The scam used fake dating profiles with stolen photos and fabricated personal stories. After gaining victims’ trust, scammers asked for money for medical bills, travel costs, or other urgent expenses.
How much money did victims lose in the Cincinnati romance scam?
Investigators said victims collectively lost more than $2 million in the scheme. Many victims suffered severe financial losses, including selling property, draining retirement accounts, and maxing out credit cards.
Will victims receive restitution from the Cincinnati romance scam case?
The court ordered Agyemang to pay nearly $1.4 million in restitution to identified victims. He must also repay about $20,800 to the Small Business Administration for fraudulently obtained pandemic relief funds.
