Dec 21, 2025
First they conned a 74-year-old retired teacher in Jonesborough, Tennessee, into thinking he was in a relationship with a celebrity. Then they defrauded him out of $86,900.
Then he took his life.
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Two years later, the con artists are convicts, with federal prison sentences to look forward to. They must pay $388,500 in restitution
On Dec. 2, 2025, Stephen O. Anagor, 37, of Lakewood, Washington, was sentenced to nine years in prison. His former military trainee classmate, Chinagorom Onwumere, 36, of Piscataway, New Jersey, was sentenced to seven years. And Onwumere’s wife, Salma Abdalkareem, 29, was sentenced to a little over four years. (1).
U.S. Department of Justice prosecutors said the trio joined forces in 2023 to help a relative in Nigeria defraud elderly Americans through online romance scams.
Once they convinced the retired teacher that he was in a relationship with a famous actress, they turned tables on him.
They impersonated a former FBI director and a U.S. attorney general, telling the victim that the celebrity had filed a complaint and that she demanded exorbitant “fees” to make the matter go away.
Through harassing emails, they pressured him into sending five checks for a total $86,900 — including proceeds from a loan he took out on his truck to pay the fees.
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In his final text to the person he believed was the celebrity, he said he had no money left to give her and that he intended to end his life. He died by suicide on Oct. 23, 2023.
As NJ.com reported, following his death, his family members discovered emails related to the scam on his tablet and took it to the authorities (2).
Older Americans are vulnerable to romance scams
This tragic situation highlights how sophisticated and emotionally manipulative romance scams can be.
According to the FBI, scammers create fake online identities to build trust, spark an emotional bond, and ultimately steal money from their victims (3). They exploit older adults’ vulnerabilities.
Many retirees live alone, may be less familiar with online impersonation tactics or embarrassed to tell family about a new romantic connection. According to the Federal Trade Commission, older adults lost $240 million to romance scams in 2022 alone.
While every scam varies, most follow predictable steps:
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- They make first contact out of the blue. Scammers often start with a “wrong number” text, a dating-site match, or a friendly social media message. The goal is to start a conversation.
- They build emotional intimacy fast. Scammers shower victims with attention. They may send photos, audio messages, or even prerecorded videos to appear real and invested.
- They claim they can’t meet in person. Many pretend to be deployed overseas, working on a film set or handling a crisis that keeps them conveniently out of reach.
Once that bond forms, the financial pressure begins. They might claim they need help paying hospital bills, securing travel documents, or covering legal fees.
In more aggressive cases — like the Jonesborough scam — criminals pose as government officials, warning victims about fake investigations or fines to coerce rapid payments.
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How to protect yourself and loved ones
Romance scammers rely on secrecy, urgency, and emotional pressure.
Taking a few precautions can make these schemes much easier to spot — and stop — before money is lost.
Be careful what you post online
Scammers comb social media for clues: your age, recent losses, interests or loneliness can all help them tailor a convincing story. Keep account details private and limit how much personal information strangers can see.
Research new connections
Run reverse-image searches on profile photos, look up names and phone numbers and check whether details about their job, hometown or past add up. If their online footprint seems thin or too polished, that’s a red flag.
Go slow
Anyone who professes love or deep emotional attachment early on should raise suspicion. Romance scammers rush relationships intentionally to reduce the chance you’ll step back and question things.
Never give banking information or send gift cards to someone you’ve never met
No legitimate partner or government agency will ever ask for gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or access to your financial accounts. If someone claims you're in legal trouble or owe fines, hang up and contact the agency using an official phone number from their website.
What to do if you’ve already been scammed
If you suspect you’ve sent money to a scammer, contact your bank or credit-card issuer immediately. In some cases, transactions can be reversed if reported quickly. Keep all records of communication, screenshots, receipts, and bank statements.
You can also file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, which helps investigators track patterns and may aid in recovering funds in rare cases (4).
Victims should also alert local law enforcement and consider reaching out to trusted family, friends, or support lines for emotional support, especially if a scam has caused significant financial or mental distress. (5)
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Department of Justice (1); NJ.com (2); FBI (3); Federal Trade Commission (4); Internet Crime Complaint Center (5)
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Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
