A 34-year-old Ghanaian resident, Wigbert Bandie, has been sentenced to 63 months in prison on November 26, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Thomas A. Varlan in the Eastern District of Tennessee.
In addition to his prison sentence, Bandie will serve three years of supervised release and is required to repay $2.18 million in restitution to 11 victims affected by his scheme.
Bandie pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1349 and 1343, as part of a plea agreement.
Court documents reveal that Bandie, along with his co-conspirators, used fake identities on social media, dating websites, and other online platforms to deceive primarily elderly victims.
They manipulated these victims into forming online friendships or romantic relationships, which they then exploited to solicit money through wire transfers, checks, U.S. mail, and package delivery services.
The conspiracy involved “romance scammers,” who posed as potential friends or partners, building online relationships through text messages, emails, and phone calls.
Once victims were emotionally invested, the scammers would fabricate urgent financial needs or offer false investment opportunities, pressuring the victims for money. As the scheme progressed, the amounts requested from victims grew larger.
Victims across the U.S. lost sums ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, with one victim in Tennessee losing over $280,000.
Bandie’s co-conspirators, acting as “money mules,” helped move the fraud proceeds from the U.S. overseas via bank transfers or mail.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, led by Special Agent Matthew R. Short. U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III and FBI Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico announced the sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne H. Sullivan prosecuted the case.
The investigation was led by the FBI, with Special Agent Matthew R. Short heading the case. U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III and Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico of the FBI announced the sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne H. Sullivan represented the government in the case.
