DES MOINES, Iowa – A Connecticut man has been sentenced to 9 years in prison for participating in a nationwide romance scam that affected victims across the country, including in central Iowa.
Naabanyin Aniagyei-Cobbold, 30, was sentenced on March 5, 2026, to 9 years’ imprisonment for wire fraud and money laundering stemming from his participation in the romance scam.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Aniagyei-Cobbold played an integral part in an extensive romance scam conspiracy, a fraudulent scheme in which individuals create fake profiles on internet dating sites and other social media platforms to exploit victims for financial gain.
Aniagyei-Cobbold operated a fake company, Alpha Distributions LLC, that he used to receive money from victims. He recruited and coached at least one other individual through creating a sham entity, a website, and opening bank accounts—all for the purpose of receiving money from romance scam victims.
Aniagyei-Cobbold received over $1.5 million from victims, including over $400,000 from a victim living in the Southern District of Iowa. The victims sent Aniagyei-Cobbold money at the request of their purported romantic partners, believing it was going to be used to facilitate uniting them with their partner, among other things.
Many victims drained their retirement accounts, sold their homes and vehicles, returned to work after retirement, and borrowed substantial sums from friends and family. The financial and emotional harm caused by this scheme has been devastating.
“Romance scammers prey on victims when they are at their most vulnerable,” said Eugene Kowel, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Omaha Field Office. “They exploit people by convincing them they are in a real relationship, then slowly abuse that trust to steal their life savings, often leading to bankruptcy.”
The defendant was ordered to pay $1,554,442.46 in restitution. After completing his prison term, Aniagyei-Cobbold will serve a 3-year term of supervised release.
Co-defendant, Nana Takyiwa Adonu, will be sentenced on July 16, 2026.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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