A Massachusetts man will spend the next few years behind bars after he was convicted of stealing millions in an online dating scam.
According to the Department of Justice, 30-year-old Kofi Osei was sentenced this week to 54 months in prison and two years of supervised release for stealing more than $8 million from hundreds of women in the elaborate scheme. Osei has also been ordered to pay more than $4 million in restitution and forfeiture.
Back in September, Osei, who was arrested in February 2021 and at the time faced a 10-year sentence in prison, pleaded guilty to seven counts of making a false statement to a bank, six counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering.
“Osei coordinated with his co-conspirators to receive the fraud proceeds into the bank accounts he opened,” prosecutors said in a press release. “Osei then withdrew the fraud proceeds in cash or with a cashier’s check, sending a portion back to his co-conspirators.”
Authorities said Osei pocketed $4 million of the stolen money, depositing the funds into personal bank accounts.
The Department of Justice added, “Osei’s co-conspirators created and used fictitious online dating profiles to capitalize on the victims’ desire for companionship, gain their trust and direct victims to transfer money based on lies.”