A 28-year-old Nigerian man has been arrested and charged in Brampton for allegedly orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded two victims of over $600,000.
Chimezie Nwabueze, a resident of Toronto, was taken into custody on April 28 following a lengthy investigation by the Peel Regional Police. According to a statement released by the police, the suspect convinced his victims, through an online dating platform, that he was the owner of an oil rig based in the Middle East and urgently needed financial support.
Police allege that between June 2021 and July 2023, Nwabueze maintained an entirely online relationship with the victims, during which he promised repayment of the money sent and suggested a future in-person meeting. After receiving funds totaling more than $610,000, Nwabueze reportedly severed all communication, and the victims were never reimbursed.
Following his arrest, he was arraigned before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton, where he faced several criminal charges, including fraud, laundering proceeds of crime, and participating in organized criminal activity. He was released on bail under an undertaking and is expected to appear again in court in the coming weeks.
Authorities also confirmed that Nwabueze had previously been arrested in November 2023 for a similar scam involving approximately $250,000. That case is still before the courts.
Investigators believe Nwabueze may be part of a broader criminal operation targeting older adults through dating websites. Peel police have urged anyone who may have been similarly defrauded to come forward.
