TORONTO — A 28-year-old Nigerian man living in Toronto, Chimezie Nwabueze, has been arrested and charged in connection with an elaborate online romance scam that allegedly defrauded two victims of more than $600,000 over a two-year period.
Peel Regional Police said in a statement that the victims were led to believe they were in a genuine romantic relationship with Nwabueze between June 2021 and July 2023 after meeting him on a dating platform.
“The suspect fraudulently claimed to own an ‘Oil Rig’ in the Middle East and urgently needed money,” police said. “He promised repayment and assured the victims they would eventually meet in person.”
The relationship remained entirely digital, and the victims never met Nwabueze face-to-face.
After repeated financial requests and mounting losses, the victims grew suspicious. “Once the victims began to question him, the suspect abruptly ended all contact,” the statement continued.
In total, the victims lost $610,382. Authorities say the funds were never recovered.
Nwabueze has been charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, and laundering the proceeds of crime.
Investigators believe there may be additional victims and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
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