crime

Leslie Chinedu Mba Gets Harsh 19-Year Fraud Sentence

Published

8 months ago

March 2, 2026

Q Tinny

Leslie Chinedu Mba fraud sentence sees Nigerian national jailed 19 years in U.S. for masterminding $4m romance and email fraud scheme

A Nigerian national, Leslie Chinedu Mba, 40, has been sentenced to 228 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge David Hittner for orchestrating a sophisticated multi million dollar fraud operation targeting vulnerable Americans through romance scams and business email compromise schemes.

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Judge Hittner imposed the sentence after Leslie Chinedu Mba pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to make false statements in immigration documents following an extensive federal investigation.

Prosecutors said the Leslie Chinedu Mba fraud sentence followed evidence showing that between April 2018 and December 2023, the defendant and accomplices operating within and outside the United States defrauded victims of more than $4 million.

Court documents revealed that the scheme involved hacking corporate email accounts to divert legitimate business payments while simultaneously deceiving individuals, particularly elderly victims, through carefully constructed online romantic relationships designed to extract money.

U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei described the crimes as especially disturbing, stating that romance scams rank among the most despicable forms of fraud because they deliberately target lonely and emotionally vulnerable people.

FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson said the operation ruthlessly manipulated trust and exploited victims’ emotional dependence, leaving many financially ruined and psychologically distressed.

Investigators further disclosed that Leslie Chinedu Mba attempted to remain in the United States through fraudulent marriages after an earlier residency application was rejected.

Authorities said his role as a money mule, opening and controlling bank accounts used to receive and transfer stolen funds, proved central to the criminal enterprise.

While Leslie Chinedu Mba received the most severe punishment, four Houston based co conspirators also faced sentencing. Grace Morisho, 30, Rodgers Kadikilo, 30, Kristin Smith, 38, and Alexandra Golovko, 36, received penalties ranging from probation to prison terms of up to 25 months.

Officials confirmed that Leslie Chinedu Mba will remain in federal custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility and is expected to be deported to Nigeria upon completion of his sentence.

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Authorities described the ruling as a powerful warning to transnational fraud networks exploiting digital platforms to target unsuspecting victims.

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crime

Police Arrest Convicted Drug Dealer, Rescue 14-Year-Old Boy in Bauchi

Published

15 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi drug dealer arrest leads to the rescue of a 14-year-old boy allegedly used as a drug courier and the recovery of suspected illicit substances

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer and rescued a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly being used to deliver illicit drugs in the state.

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The command said operatives of its Violent Crimes Response Unit intercepted the teenager during a routine patrol and recovered a granular whitish substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to Habib, the operatives, led by the unit’s officer-in-charge, intercepted the minor, identified as Samuel Nkemakolan Kosi, at about 11 am on October 26, 2026, while he was allegedly on his way to deliver the suspected drug, also known as Ice, to a customer.

The statement said the teenager told investigators that he had been sent by Samuel Ogochukwu, a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery.

“Upon interrogation, the minor confessed that he was sent by one Samuel Ogochukwu, 22 years old, a convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery,” Habib said.

Following the information, detectives traced Ogochukwu to his location and arrested him.

A search of the suspect’s shop and residence reportedly led to the recovery of 3.5 grammes of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine, 17 sachets of 100mg tramadol capsules, five sachets of 300mg pregabalin capsules and seven sachets of diazepam.

The police also recovered 12 Exol tablets, two wraps of a substance known as Yellow Boys and one sachet of Shine Shine Leather.

Habib said the principal suspect told investigators that he received supplies of illicit drugs through waybills from Onitsha, Anambra State.

The police spokesman added that the 14-year-old had been handled in accordance with juvenile best practices and would be reunited with his family after counselling.

“The 14-year-old minor has been handled in line with juvenile best practices and will be reunited with his family after counselling, while the principal suspect will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the operatives for their work and urged the public to remain alert to criminal activity.

According to Habib, the commissioner said four major drug busts and subsequent convictions recorded within 10 days demonstrated the command’s continued efforts to combat drug trafficking.