A Connecticut man, Naabanyin Aniagyei-Cobbold, was sentenced on March 5 to nine years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering related to a romance scam that targeted victims across the United States, including central Iowa.
Aniagyei-Cobbold, age 30, was found to have played a key role in a scheme where fake profiles were created on dating sites and social media platforms to deceive individuals into sending money. He operated Alpha Distributions LLC as a front company to receive funds from victims and recruited at least one other person by helping them set up sham entities and bank accounts for the same purpose. Victims sent more than $1.5 million to Aniagyei-Cobbold, with over $400,000 coming from an individual in the Southern District of Iowa. Many victims suffered significant financial losses, draining retirement accounts or selling assets such as homes and vehicles.
During the conspiracy, Aniagyei-Cobbold produced a music video titled “S.C.A.M.” featuring lyrics about receiving illicit money and living lavishly. The video included imagery of him posing next to a car with “SCAM” spelled out in hundred-dollar bills on its hood. When questioned by the FBI, he falsely claimed his business was legitimate and provided fabricated documents in response to a federal grand jury subpoena.
Eugene Kowel, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Omaha Field Office, said: “Romance scammers prey on victims when they are at their most vulnerable. They exploit people by convincing them they are in a real relationship, then slowly abuse that trust to steal their life savings, often leading to bankruptcy. This case is an egregious example of the ruthless persistence exhibited by scammers to enrich themselves at the expense of vulnerable people. The FBI will continue working with all of our partners to apprehend these criminals and bring them to justice.”
Polk County Sheriff Kevin J. Schneider said: “The financial and emotional harm caused by this scheme has been devastating. Victims were deliberately targeted and manipulated through deception and false relationships, often losing money they could not afford to lose. Many were elderly or living on fixed incomes, and the impact has extended beyond financial loss to broken trust, emotional trauma, and lasting hardship for families. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the strong partnership with our federal law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in holding those responsible accountable and seeking justice for victims across central Iowa. We remain committed to protecting our communities, supporting victims, and working collaboratively to uphold the rule of law.”
In addition to his prison sentence, Aniagyei-Cobbold was ordered to pay over $1.5 million in restitution and will serve three years of supervised release after completing his term. His co-defendant Nana Takyiwa Adonu is scheduled for sentencing on July 16.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman announced the sentence; the case was investigated by the FBI’s Omaha Cyber Task Force along with Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The FBI reports that approximately 59,000 people fell victim to romance scams in 2024 alone with losses exceeding $672 million dollars nationwide. Authorities encourage anyone who suspects they have been targeted or victimized by such scams—no matter how embarrassed—to report it promptly.
