By Deborah Nnamdi
Chimezie Nwabueze, a 28-year-old Nigerian living in Toronto, Canada, has been arrested and is facing multiple charges for allegedly scamming two individuals out of over $600,000 through an online romance scheme.
According to a statement from the Peel Regional Police, between June 2021 and July 2023, the victims were led to believe they were involved in a legitimate romantic relationship with the suspect, whom they had met on an online dating site.
“The suspect fraudulently claimed to own an ‘Oil Rig’ in the Middle East and urgently needed money, promising repayment, and an eventual meeting.
“The victims only communicated with him electronically and never met in person.” the statement partly read.
After the victims confronted the suspect, he allegedly ceased all contact with them. They were never compensated for their financial losses, which amounted to $610,382.
According to police, on April 28, Nwabueze was charged with multiple offences: one count each of uttering forged documents, laundering proceeds of crime, participating in the activities of a criminal organization, and instructing the commission of an offence for a criminal organization. He also faces two counts each of fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.
Nwabueze was subsequently released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date.
Peel Regional Police (PRP) stated that fraud investigators suspect there may be additional victims. They believe Nwabueze is part of a broader criminal network that specifically targets older adults on dating websites, preying on their trust or vulnerability to commit fraud.
He was previously arrested by PRP in November 2023 in connection with a similar scheme, where he reportedly defrauded another victim of over $250,000. That case is still before the courts.
