On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Leo Sorokin sentenced Osei to 4 1/2 years in prison and three years of supervised release following his prison term.
A Massachusetts man was sentenced Tuesday to 4 1/2 years in prison for his role in an online romance scam that allegedly stole millions of dollars from hundreds of people.
Kofi Osei, 30, and his alleged accomplices sought out mostly older people seeking companionship by creating fake online dating profiles. They then directed their victims to transfer money to one of dozens of bank accounts Osei opened using fake passports, aliases, and phony business names. Once the money was in the bank account, it was quickly withdrawn.
The scheme received more than $8 million in proceeds, with $4 million of that going into accounts that Osei opened and controlled. One of the victims, a Florida woman, sent more than $200,000 to Osei’s account after being told her online boyfriend needed funds to secure his release from custody following an explosion on his oil rig.
In February 2021, Osei was arrested and pleaded guilty in September to making a false statement to a bank, wire fraud, and money laundering. He was also ordered to pay more than $4 million in restitution and forfeiture.
Federal prosecutors had sought a nine-year sentence while Osei’s defense asked for leniency, noting his lack of prior criminal history, remorsefulness, and status as a loving father. On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Leo Sorokin sentenced Osei to 4 1/2 years in prison and three years of supervised release following his prison term.