NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A Bronx woman was found guilty on Thursday for her involvement in an online romance scam, receiving over $2 million from victims into her bank accounts, which she shared with co-conspirators.
Nadine Jazemine Wade, 30, between 2016 and 2021, was part of a romance scam operated by co-conspirators based in Nigeria and South Africa targeting individuals across the United States.
She was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and bank fraud.
The fraudsters always used "Francisco" aliases, such as "Diego Francisco" and "Richard Francisco," then connected with victims on various dating websites. They used a male model's photos to represent the fake identities.
After getting to know the victims through phone calls, text, and emails, the scammers would request money from their victims. The need for the money would change from victim to victim. In one scenario, the fake profile would claim to work on an oil rig and needed money for repairs.
Victims were then instructed to transfer funds into bank accounts controlled by Wade and others involved in the scheme.
The methods of transfer varied, with some victims being directed to send cashier's checks payable to Wade or her shell company, Royal Treasure Chest LLC, and mail them directly to Wade.
Once the funds were in her accounts, Wade rapidly used them through cash withdrawals, purchasing vehicles, and other means, retaining a portion for herself before transferring the bulk to other members of the scam.
Wade controlled over 18 bank accounts during this time with deposits totaling more than $2 million.
"The romance scams perpetrated by Wade's partners were cruel, targeting vulnerable, elderly men and women and tricking them into transferring their life savings to the defendant, who then took her cut and sent the money to other members of the scheme," Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said. "Money launderers who assist online scammers abroad will be held accountable for their crimes by this Office."
Wade was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and bank fraud.
