Virginia Man Charged with Conspiring to Launder Money Obtained From Internet-Enabled Romance Scams

NEWARK, N.J. - A Virginia man was charged with conspiring to launder money taken from victims across the United States, many of whom were elderly, as a part of a series of romance scams, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Richard Agyeman Dua, 44, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, is charged by complaint with one count of money laundering conspiracy.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Agyeman laundered money obtained through romance scams through business accounts he opened in the name of Mineral Logistics. After receiving the romance scam victims' money, Agyeman wired thousands of dollars to overseas bank accounts, including accounts in Canada, Hong Kong, and China. Many of the victims were told of a scheme involving gold or an inheritance held up overseas; at least one victim lost her house as a result of the fraud. Law enforcement estimates that Agyeman received at least $734,000 in fraudulent proceeds.

The money laundering conspiracy charge has a maximum term of 20 years, and a maximum fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the funds involved in the transfer, whichever is greater.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark and Special Agent in Charge Gregory D. Nelsen in Cleveland, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the FBI in Richmond, Virginia, for its assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie L. Hoxie of the Cybercrime Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.