Adams Amen, a 32-year-old citizen of Ghana living in Detroit, Michigan, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a ruthless internet romance scam that bilked victims out of nearly $910,000. The plea, entered before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara in Buffalo, New York, exposes a cold, calculated operation that preyed on lonely hearts through fake online relationships.
From March 28, 2015, to June 15, 2017, Amen conspired with Jason Osei Bonsu and other Ghanaian nationals to run a deceptive romance scheme using MillionaireMatch.com. Posing as wealthy, romantic partners, the co-conspirators sent victims photoshopped images and false identities—like ‘Marvin Roecker,’ a fabricated persona using the photo of a real Texas real estate agent. They built emotional bonds over calls and messages, all lies, to earn trust and access bank accounts.
Once the victims were hooked, the fraudsters struck—demanding money for fake emergencies, business deals, or inheritance fees. The funds flowed to bank accounts across Ghana, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., many controlled by Ghanaian nationals including Amen. One victim in the Western District of New York wired $65,000 to Amen’s TD Bank account on March 2, 2016. Text messages show Amen and Bonsu coordinating rapid cash withdrawals to dodge detection.
Just over a year later, on March 21, 2017, the same victim sent another $180,000—this time to a U.K. account tied to a co-conspirator—after more emotional manipulation from the ‘Marvin Roecker’ alias. The scam wasn’t isolated: victims wired a total of $881,656 directly into Amen’s controlled accounts. Another $27,990 was deposited in cash by a separate victim, sealing the damage at $909,646 in total losses.
The FBI, under Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin P. Lyons, dismantled the operation through digital forensics and financial tracing. Evidence, including bank records and incriminating texts between Amen and Bonsu, left no doubt about his central role. The investigation revealed a network of deception rooted overseas but bleeding victims dry on American soil.
Sentencing is set for May 23, 2018, at 1 p.m. before Judge Arcara. Amen faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott S. Allen, Jr. is prosecuting the case, sending a message that romance scammers, no matter how far they operate, will be hunted down and held accountable.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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