A couple’s wedding plans took an unexpected turn when Darlington Akporugo, 46, and Jasmin Sood, 35, were arrested on charges of defrauding elderly Americans of over $3 million through online romance scams.
Initially scheduled for May 25 in Houston, Texas, the wedding now faces uncertainty as the couple faces legal proceedings for their alleged involvement in a long-running conspiracy targeting widowed victims on social media and dating platforms.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas, Akporugo and Sood are accused of orchestrating the scam over seven years, gaining the trust of their victims before coaxing them into transferring substantial sums of money to various accounts allegedly controlled by them.
The indictment, which spans from 2015 to 2022, claims that the couple defrauded at least 13 victims of $3,123,073. If convicted, both Akporugo and Sood could face up to 30 years in prison for wire fraud and conspiracy, with additional charges carrying further penalties.
As legal proceedings unfold, the wedding’s cancellation serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of alleged fraudulent activities, leaving the couple’s future hanging in the balance.
