A Nigerian, Martins Inalegwu, 31, was on Wednesday arraigned in a court in the United States for allegedly playing part in a wire and mail fraud which federal prosecutors say defrauded victims of over $6 million.
His wife, Steincy Mathieu, 24, was also charged, although she remained at large.
The couple, both of Maple Shade, New Jersey, were said to have carried out the scheme from October 2016 through last month, Igbere TV learnt.
Prosecutors said they, including several people who live in Nigeria, helped run an international romance scam that used bogus profiles on dating websites to woo dozens of victims.
Mr Inalegwu and wife allegedly collected $3.1 million directly from victims. More than 33 victims have been identified.
According to prosecutors, they spent the money on personal expenses, transferred money to other bank accounts they controlled and moved funds to bank accounts held by conspirators in Nigeria and Turkey.
The conspirators were also said to have defrauded people through fake real estate business.
