Anything for Love: The Romance Scam Epidemic
Three Chicago-area residents have been sentenced for their involvement in an overseas-based romance scam network that moved over $3.5 million. Among them is Jennifer Gosha, a former U.S. Postal Service employee and Iraqi war veteran, who expressed regret for being part of what she called a “dumb-ass scheme” orchestrated by her then-boyfriend. Gosha was sentenced to three years probation, with six months of house arrest, for her role in the Chicago fraud case. The case revolved around 57-year-old Laura Kowal, a widow and retired health care executive from Galena, Illinois, who fell victim to a romance scam initiated by a man she met on Match.com, who identified himself as “Frank Borg.”
The Tragic Story of Laura Kowal
What started as an innocent online and telephone romance turned into a nightmare for Kowal, who ended up sending nearly $2 million to the scammers over two years. These scammers, based out of West Africa, operated under fake profiles and manipulated Kowal into setting up fake companies and bank accounts to move money. Kowal’s daughter, Kelly Gowe, shared her heart-wrenching experience of losing her mother to these criminals, expressing her profound anger and sense of loss.
The Role of Money Mules in Romance Scams
The case highlighted the use of money mules to launder financial transactions, with Kowal unknowingly facilitating one of her payments to the scammers through individuals living in the Chicago suburbs. The other two conspirators, Samuel Aniukwu and Anthony Ibekie, both Nigerian nationals, were also involved in the scam network. Aniukwu received a 10-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to wire fraud and money laundering, while Ibekie, who denied the charges against him, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty on all counts.
The Human Side of the Scam
The impact of these scams goes beyond financial losses, as victims like Kowal and their families endure emotional turmoil and irreversible damage. Kelly Gowe’s testimony at the sentencing hearings highlighted the devastating consequences of these crimes, emphasizing the profound pain caused by the scammers. Jennifer Gosha, who was also a victim of a romance scam, shed light on how she was manipulated into becoming a money mule, expressing remorse for her actions and the impact on the victims. The tragic story of Laura Kowal serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online romance scams and the need for greater awareness and vigilance in combating this epidemic.
