Leslie Mba, a 40-year-old Nigerian resident of Houston, has been sentenced to 19 years in federal prison by a US court for his role in a large-scale romance scam. This scheme, which involved fraudulent marriage proposals and business email scams, defrauded American women out of over $4 million. Mba pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other charges, with the sentencing reflecting the serious nature of his crimes on December 4, 2025.

The court proceedings revealed the significant impact of Mba's actions on victims, where the judge noted that his actions threatened the livelihood of family-run businesses and exploited the trust essential to the economy. This case is emblematic of larger issues regarding online scams where the elderly and vulnerable populations are often the targets. In addition to his prison sentence, Mba was ordered to be deported to Nigeria upon completion of his term.

The ruling by US District Judge David Hittner underscores the US legal system's commitment to tackling fraud and protecting its citizens. With the growing trend of online scams, cases like Mba's highlight the importance of vigilance and regulatory measures against such deceptive practices that have become prevalent in today's digital age.