Nigerian sentenced to six years for role in romance and package delivery scams in Guyana

A Nigerian national has been sentenced to six years in prison following his conviction for orchestrating a series of romance and package delivery scams that defrauded several Guyanese of millions of dollars in 2022.

Matthew Ejike Nwachukwu was found guilty on Thursday by Magistrate Liverpool at the Wismar Magistrate’s Court on two counts of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, contrary to Section 33 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01. He was handed a three-year prison sentence on each count, to run consecutively.

Nwachukwu’s conviction follows a comprehensive investigation by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), which unearthed evidence linking him to multiple fraudulent schemes. According to SOCU, Nwachukwu acted as a key accomplice to a foreign-based mastermind – reportedly a German national – who posed as a romantic interest to unsuspecting victims across Guyana.

One of the victims testified that she was lured into a long-distance relationship with a man claiming to be German. In July 2022, she was told that valuable packages – including diamonds – would be sent to her via FedEx. Days later, she received a call from a foreign number advising that the packages had arrived and that she was required to pay G$155,000 to uplift them from the McKenzie Post Office.

Believing the package to be genuine and fearful of potential confiscation under money laundering suspicion, the victim made the payment. SOCU’s evidence revealed that Nwachukwu was instrumental in coordinating local agents to collect the money on behalf of the overseas fraudster.

Nwachukwu was initially charged and remanded in September 2022. At trial, prosecutors Aaron Daniels and Neville Jeffers presented detailed evidence of his role in the conspiracy. He was represented by Attorney-at-Law Lawrence Harris.

SOCU has confirmed that efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the German ringleader and other accomplices linked to the broader romance and package delivery scam network allegedly operated by Nigerian nationals in Guyana.

Authorities are urging members of the public to exercise caution when engaging in online relationships, especially those involving financial transactions or promises of high-value shipments.

Investigations remain active as law enforcement tracks the larger criminal network targeting vulnerable individuals across the country.