Linda Mbimadong, Wire and Mail Fraud, New York 2021

Related Federal Cases

Nnamdi Marcellus MgBodile, Romance Scam Bank Fraud, GA 2023 · New York
Deborah Branch, Medicaid Fraud, Virginia 2024 · New York
Michael P. Klekamp, Bank Fraud, Virginia 2024 · New York
Bruce E. Kenney III, Wire and Tax Fraud, West Virginia 2024 · West Virginia
Larry Jay Horsey, Investment Fraud, Virginia 2024 · New York

Table of Contents

New York Couple Indicted for Romance Fraud Scam

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Linda Mbimadong, 29, and Richard Broni, 31, of New York City, with wire and mail fraud as part of a social media scheme that defrauded elderly victims out of over $660,000.

The indictment alleges that from at least September 2019 through April 2021, Mbimadong, Broni, and other unnamed co-conspirators targeted elderly victims on social media and email by impersonating romantic love interests, diplomats, military personnel, and more.

According to the indictment, Victim #1 was a 78-year-old man who lost $580,000 to the scheme. He had set up an iFlirt account, an online dating application, on his cell phone for the purpose of communicating with women. A member of the conspiracy began communicating with him on the app as part of the scheme to defraud, transitioning the conversations to Google Hangouts and text messages around September 2019.

Victim #2 was a 74-year-old woman who lost approximately $80,000 to the scheme from her retirement savings. A member of the conspiracy contacted Victim #2 on Facebook and transitioned the conversation with her to email and text messages around March 2021.

Mbimadong and Broni are charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Additionally, Mbimadong is charged with making false statements to law enforcement during the investigation. If convicted of the conspiracy or fraud charges, they both face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. If convicted of the false statement charge, Mbimadong faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:21-cr-98.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.