A romantic scam artist from Upper Marlboro lured his way into nearly $2 million before being caught, authorities say.
Isidore Iwuagwu, 35, has been federally charged for conspiring to commit money laundering related to multiple online relationship scams according to the Department of Justice.
Iwuagwu was able to commit these crimes all while working security as a Special Deputy United States Marshal and Department of Justice contractor, prosecutors said.
Iwuagwu allegedly contacted victims on social media platforms and dating sites, engaging in online relationships with them before asking for large sums of money between 2015 and 2021.
Iwuagwu would claim personal hardships or shipping costs for imported items, sometimes even posing as a deployed military member who needed money, according to investigators.
At least 20 victims, many of whom are senior citizens, were targeted in the scam for a combined sum of $1.9 million.
In one claim, prosecutors said that a victim was contacted by someone who claimed to be a Major General in the US Army, who needed help to transition out of the military.
Another victim alleged that they were contacted by a person claiming to be a Spanish doctor living in California who was leaving on a ship to treat people in another country.
Between 2013 and 2021, Iwuagwu allegedly received approximately $1.65 million in wire transfers from 119 individuals and around $1.25 million in other deposits, including money orders, personal checks, cashier’s checks, and cash.
Iwuagwu is believed to have wired more than $1.5 million from his accounts, including $200,000 to a Nigerian company.
He allegedly also withdrew approximately $511,900 through ATM and other cash withdrawals, officials said.
“If you find yourself in an online relationship and you’re asked for a bunch of money, it’s probably fraud, not love,” US Attorney for the District of Maryland, Erek L. Barron said in a statement. “We’re prosecuting elder fraud, including romance scams, to the fullest extent of the law.”
If convicted, Iwuagwu faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering.
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