Former New Bedford ‘romance scammer’ sentenced to three years

A former New Bedford man was sentenced Friday for his involvement in a wire fraud and money laundering operation involving “romance scam” victims, according to officials.  

Chukwunonso “Douglas” Umegbo, also known as James Abbott, Michael Phillips or Richard Armani, pleaded guilty in January to six counts of making a false statement to a bank, two counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

Umegbo, 38, was sentenced to more than three years in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, according to the statement. He was also ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture of around $578,000, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

According to officials, Umbego used bank accounts under fake identities to obtain money using online personas to create fake romantic relationships with people in the U.S.

Once the money was in the falsified bank account, Umegbo withdrew cash and then purchased cashier’s checks or spent the cash, according to the statement.

Officials said the accounts received totaled more than $568,000 through these scams. Even after Umegbo left the U.S., he continued to receive account information from co-conspirators in Massachusetts, according to the statement. 

Umegbo was arrested in London in April 2022 and extradited in February 2023. He remains in federal custody.

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