A court in Germany has sentenced 12 Nigerian men to prison for their involvement in an international romance fraud and money laundering syndicate.
The Munich court handed the convicts, aged between 34 and 55, prison terms ranging from three years and four months to eight years and six months.
According to prosecutors, the group operated an elaborate online scam by assuming fake identities, including impersonating United States soldiers, to deceive victims into romantic relationships before requesting money for fabricated medical bills, travel expenses and customs charges.
Prosecutors said most of those targeted were women, elderly individuals and people living with disabilities.
Investigators alleged that the proceeds of the fraud were funneled through a Nigeria based network known as the “Kingdom of Africa,” also referred to as “K.O.A.”
The convictions followed a major police operation carried out in April 2024 after authorities spent several years investigating the transnational criminal network.
