Prince Charming Of Nigeria: Sicklerville Man Imprisoned After Lucrative Romance Scams

SICKLERVILLE, NJ — A Sicklerville resident scammed several victims through purported inheritance, real-estate investment, and love. Christopher Akeme was sentenced to six years in prison Friday after defrauding three people out of more than $1.4 million, which he funneled to bank accounts in Nigeria.

Akeme received six-figure sums from each victim from 2017-20, including a woman who drained her retirement savings and investment accounts to financially support a long-distance relationship with a person who didn't exist.

The romance-scam victim from California believed she was helping the fictitious person with an overseas development project and medical expenses. She lost $926,414.

Another California resident lost $116,630 through an inheritance scam. They sent the money purportedly to release unclaimed funds in a bank account in Barcelona, Spain, that the victim's friend supposedly inherited.

Akeme also targeted a German victim with a real-estate investment scheme, with a romance-scam component initiated on social media. The victim lost $491,645 by sending money to supposedly invest in a New Jersey condominium.

The Sicklerville man received the funds in American bank accounts that he controlled before sending the money to various bank accounts in Nigeria.

"This defendant shamelessly exploited vulnerable victims in the United States and abroad using a variety of scams," said State Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. "This prosecution serves as notice that New Jersey will not be a haven for fraud."

Akeme, 39, pleaded guilty May 26 to one count of financial facilitation of criminal activity (second-degree). Along with the prison sentencing, he also must pay $1,421,689 in restitution to the victims.