Chimezie Nwabueze, a 28-year-old Nigerian residing in Toronto, Canada, has been arrested and charged in connection with a romance scam that defrauded two victims of $610,382.
According to a statement from the Peel Regional Police (PRP), the alleged fraud occurred between June 2021 and July 2023. Nwabueze reportedly convinced the victims—who believed they were in genuine online relationships—that he owned an oil rig in the Middle East and urgently needed financial assistance, promising repayment and a future meeting. The victims never met him in person and only communicated online.
After the victims demanded accountability, Nwabueze allegedly ceased all communication. Police say they were never reimbursed for their losses.
On April 28, authorities charged Nwabueze with multiple offenses, including fraud over \$5,000 (two counts), possession of property obtained by crime (two counts), uttering forged documents, laundering proceeds of crime, participation in a criminal organization, and instructing others to commit offenses for the organization. He was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.
The PRP believes Nwabueze is part of a broader criminal network targeting vulnerable individuals on dating platforms. Investigators also revealed that in November 2023, Nwabueze was arrested in a separate case involving another victim defrauded of over \$250,000 using a similar scheme. That case is currently in court.
