COLUMBUS – A Canal Winchester man faces decades in prison for his role in operating a “romance scam” that bilked victims out of millions of dollars, according to federal authorities.
In a verdict announced Tuesday, a federal jury convicted Seth Nyamekye on 35 counts of money laundering crimes related to the online scheme, Kenneth Parker, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, said.
The verdict came following a trial that began on May 16 before District Judge Algenon Marbley.
According to court documents and trial testimony, Nyamekye, 39, controlled one of several bank accounts and received more than $1.3 million from victims who had been duped by scammers who “cultivated a sense of affection and, often, romance,” with victims they met online before asking for money.
Nyamekye was convicted of laundering money on behalf of the conspiracy from at least June 2016 until February 2018.
At least eight victims sent their money directly to Nyamekye’s bank account, prosecutors alleged, including one sent $170,000 to Nyamekye, who posed as a member of the military.
Nyamekye faces up to 20 years in prison on each of 18 counts and up to 10 years in prison on each of 17 other counts, Parker said.