Chimezie Nwabueze, a 28-year-old Nigerian living in Toronto, has been arrested and is facing multiple charges after allegedly defrauding two victims of more than $600,000 through an online romance scam.
According to a statement released by Peel Regional Police, the incidents took place between June 2021 and July 2023. During this period, the victims believed they were in a legitimate romantic relationship with Nwabueze, whom they had met on an online dating platform.
Police allege that Nwabueze falsely claimed to own an oil rig in the Middle East and urgently requested financial assistance, promising to repay the funds and meet in person. However, all communication occurred online, and the victims never met him face-to-face.
After the victims questioned him, Nwabueze allegedly cut off all contact. They were never reimbursed for the total financial loss of $610,382.
On April 28, Nwabueze was formally charged with several offenses, including one count each of uttering forged documents, laundering proceeds of crime, participating in criminal organization activity, and instructing others to commit crimes for a criminal organization. He also faces two counts each of fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.
He has since been released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date.
Investigators believe Nwabueze is part of a broader criminal network targeting older adults on dating websites, exploiting their trust and vulnerability for financial gain. Police suspect there may be additional victims.
Notably, Nwabueze had previously been arrested in November 2023 by Peel Police in connection with a similar scam, in which he allegedly defrauded another individual of over $250,000. That case is still before the courts.