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Fola Alabi, 52, Pleads Guilty to $1.6M Online Romance Scam in Providence
A Texas man has admitted to scamming seniors in Rhode Island and nationwide in online romance scams, laundering over $1.6 million in proceeds, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Fola Alabi, aka Folayemi Alabi, 52, of Richmond, Texas, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence to charges of conspiracy and money laundering. Alabi received the money and either deposited or directed that it be deposited into one of several bank accounts that he controlled.
Seniors were targeted by the scam through online dating sites, with the perpetrator posing as a U.S. military general serving overseas. The victims were convinced to send substantial sums of money, usually in the form of bank checks or cash, to addresses and companies in Texas that were controlled by Alabi.
Among Alabi’s victims is a Rhode Island widow who was contacted by a member of the conspiracy claiming to be a “General Miller,” purportedly a four-star General, who convinced the victim to provide $60,000 to finance shipment of his personal belongings to the United States.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ly T. Chin and Sara Bloom. The investigation was led by the United States Postal Inspection Service, FBI, United States Secret Service, and Homeland Security Investigations.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on April 25, 2023, for his role in the scam, which targeted victims in at least eleven states, including Rhode Island.
Alabi will forfeit assets derived from his criminal conduct, to include his Texas residence and $31,773.22 contained in a bank account, as part of the plea agreement.
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Cybercrime|Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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