HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Augustine Amechi, 24, a Nigerian national who preyed on the hearts – and bank accounts – of unsuspecting Americans, received a year and a day in federal prison today for his role in a sprawling romance fraud scheme. The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers, barely scratches the surface of the damage inflicted on dozens of victims.
Amechi, who was attending Marshall University while running the con, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to receiving stolen money and agreed to pay at least $192,762.19 in restitution. But that figure represents just a fraction of the total haul. Court documents reveal Amechi was involved in the scheme from 2018 until his arrest in March 2021, convincing victims to send funds under a variety of false pretenses. The money flowed into bank accounts he controlled in Cabell County, West Virginia.
The scale of the operation is staggering. Amechi directly deposited over $108,601.92 into his accounts from heartbroken victims. He also received more than $150,000 in cash mailed in packages to his Huntington residence and an additional $140,000 through Zelle deposits. Investigators determined Amechi defrauded at least 37 individuals, pocketing a portion of the ill-gotten gains and funneling the rest to co-conspirators. Over $15,000 was wired directly back to bank accounts in Nigeria.
U.S. Attorney Will Thompson, announcing the sentence, lauded the collaborative investigative work of the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FDIC-OIG, the West Virginia State Police, and the South Charleston Police Department. While the conviction is a victory, it highlights the growing sophistication and international reach of these romance scams. These aren’t petty thefts; they are calculated attacks on vulnerable individuals, often leaving them financially and emotionally devastated.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. Gregory McVey and Kathleen Robeson prosecuted the case. The public is urged to report potential online fraud at https://www.ic3.gov/. For those 60 and older who may have fallen victim to financial fraud, the National Elder Fraud Hotline is available at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). Case managers can provide support, reporting guidance, and referrals.
This case, docket number 3:21-cr-0069, is a stark reminder that anyone can be a target. While Amechi is behind bars, the network that enabled his crimes likely remains active. Those looking for further information can find court documents on PACER or a copy of the press release on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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