Rubbin Sarpong, 37, of Millville, New Jersey, has admitted to orchestrating a sprawling romance fraud scheme that netted over $1.76 million from unsuspecting victims across the United States. From January 2016 to September 3, 2019, Sarpong and a network of conspirators, many based in Ghana, weaponized online dating platforms to prey on the emotionally vulnerable, fabricating military personas and false promises of treasure to extract cash.
Sarpong and his co-conspirators created fake profiles on dating websites, posing as U.S. military personnel stationed overseas—often in Syria—claiming they had acquired gold bars through military duty. These lies were meticulously spun across emails and VoIP calls, where they cultivated romantic relationships before pleading for money to cover supposed shipping fees for the nonexistent gold. Victims were told their funds would be returned once the shipment arrived. Instead, the money vanished into a web of fraud.
At least 40 identifiable victims sent money through wire transfers, Western Union, MoneyGram, and mailed checks. Sarpong directed these funds to 13 bank accounts under his control—some registered under friends, relatives, and a sham business, Rubbin Sarpong Autosales. The cash was quickly siphoned off, withdrawn in bulk, or wired overseas to co-conspirators in Ghana. None of it went toward shipping gold—because there was no gold.
While swindling victims, Sarpong lived lavishly. He purchased property in Ghana and flaunted stacks of cash, luxury cars, designer clothes, and flashy jewelry on social media. All of it was funded by crime. Between 2016 and 2018, he pulled in approximately $1.14 million from the scam—but filed no tax returns. The IRS lost $387,923 in unpaid income taxes, a crime in itself.
Sarpong pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and tax evasion. Each wire fraud and money laundering count carries up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine—or double the gain from the offense. Tax evasion carries up to five years and a $250,000 fine. He also agreed to pay full restitution: $1.76 million to victims and $387,923 to the IRS.
As part of his plea deal, Sarpong must also repay the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the State of New Jersey for all Medicaid and SNAP benefits he and his children received from September 2018 to August 2019. Sentencing is scheduled for March 21, 2022. Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig credited the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency for its investigation leading to the bust.
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Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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