Cincinnati man pleads guilty to laundering proceeds of romance fraud conspiracy that scammed dozens of victims out of more than $2 million

CINCINNATI - Richard Opoku Agyemang, 41, of Cincinnati, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to laundering the proceeds of a romance fraud conspiracy involving more than $2 million in loss to dozens of victims.

As part of the romance fraud scheme, other individuals used stolen photographs and false information to create profiles on dating websites and establish online romantic relationships with victims. Victims were tricked into sending money under the false pretense that doing so would support a romantic partner they had met online for things like medical expenses.

According to court documents, victims sent more than $2 million by either wiring money or depositing checks to accounts controlled by Agyemang.

Agyemang was charged federally in April 2024. He pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering stemming from a transfer of $32,000 of fraud proceeds in 2022.

His plea agreement recommends a sentence of up to 41 months in prison.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division, announced the guilty plea entered on Sept. 17 before U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland. Assistant United States Attorneys Julie D. Garcia and Ebunoluwa A. Taiwo are representing the United States in this case.

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