Phoenix Man Sentenced to Prison for His Role in Online Romance Scams

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Kingsley Sebastian Ibhadore, 40, of Glendale, was sentenced on May 5, 2025, by United States District Judge John J. Tuchi to 17 months in prison. Ibhadore, a Nigerian citizen and lawful U.S. resident, previously pleaded guilty to Conspiring to Commit Structuring for his role in withdrawing over $500,000 in criminal proceeds from bank accounts, in amounts below federal reporting requirements to avoid detection by authorities.

Ibhadore served as a “money mule” in a criminal scheme by transferring fraud proceeds, in relatively small amounts, between fictitious bank accounts to avoid federal reporting requirements and detection. Specifically, Ibhadore used 24 bank accounts under multiple aliases to conceal and distribute funds obtained through online romance scams that were initiated by other individuals. Romance scams are online scams where criminals impersonate individuals to gain trust and affection from their victims, ultimately with the goal of stealing money. These scammers often build fake online profiles, engage in elaborate deception, and manipulate their victims to send them money under various pretexts, such as medical emergencies, travel expenses, or investments. 

Between July 2019 and March 2020, Ibhadore deposited romance scam proceeds into accounts opened with false names and passports, then withdrew sums in amounts designed to avoid triggering financial institutions’ currency reporting requirements. Even after Ibhadore confirmed that the money he was depositing came from romance scams, he continued to withdraw large sums of cash in ways meant to evade federal reporting. Surveillance footage also captured him conducting transactions using fraudulent identities at major banks across Arizona.

The United States Secret Service conducted the investigation in this case. Kristen Brook and Raymond Woo, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:           CR-22-01392-PHX-JJT
RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-072_Ibhadore

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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