Toronto Man Accused of Defrauding Online Dating Victims of Over $600,000 in Elaborate Romance Scam

 

 

A Toronto man is at the center of a disturbing romance scam that allegedly robbed two unsuspecting victims of more than $600,000. Police have charged 28-year-old Chimezie Nwabueze, a Nigerian national, in connection with an online scheme that investigators say spanned over two years and preyed on the trust of vulnerable individuals seeking companionship.

Authorities with Peel Regional Police (PRP) announced on Friday, May 2, 2025, that Nwabueze had been arrested and is now facing a series of serious criminal charges, including fraud, money laundering, and involvement in organized crime. The victims, who had believed themselves to be in meaningful romantic relationships, had only ever interacted with Nwabueze electronically and never met him in person.

The scheme, which investigators say began in June 2021 and extended through July 2023, revolved around a fabricated narrative that Nwabueze presented to his targets. He allegedly claimed to be the owner of an oil rig in the Middle East—an image that not only added a touch of exotic allure but also helped build a facade of financial stability and urgency. The victims were told he needed immediate financial assistance for his business operations, but that their generosity would be repaid once he returned.

According to PRP, this promise of both romantic fulfillment and financial repayment was central to gaining the trust of his victims. Over time, the suspect is said to have manipulated the victims into transferring substantial sums of money to help him out of what he described as a temporary crisis. The total loss for the two individuals amounted to a staggering $610,382.

Following repeated excuses and delays, communication between the suspect and the victims abruptly ended when they began to express doubt and pressed for answers. At that point, it became clear they had fallen victim to a sophisticated scam designed to emotionally manipulate and financially exploit.

Nwabueze now faces two counts each of fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime. He has also been charged with uttering forged documents, laundering proceeds of crime, and participating in and instructing the commission of offenses for a criminal organization. After his arrest, he was released with a promise to appear in a Brampton courtroom at a later date.

Peel police believe the case extends beyond a single suspect and a couple of isolated incidents. According to PRP’s Fraud Bureau, Nwabueze is thought to be part of a wider criminal organization deliberately targeting older adults on dating websites. These operations rely on emotional deception and calculated storytelling to defraud individuals who are often isolated or seeking connection.

The police force emphasized that the accused had already faced previous allegations for employing the same method. In November 2023, Nwabueze was arrested on separate fraud charges involving a similar romance scam, where another victim was allegedly cheated out of over $250,000. That case remains before the courts, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation now unfolding.

Authorities say this pattern of behavior points to a deliberate and recurring strategy to exploit a particular demographic. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the extent of the network Nwabueze may be affiliated with and identify other potential victims who may not yet have come forward. The Fraud Bureau is urging anyone with relevant information to step up and contact them.

Romance fraud has seen a notable rise in recent years, especially as digital communication platforms become more integral to everyday social interaction. Scammers are increasingly using emotional manipulation to craft believable narratives that extract large sums from victims before vanishing without a trace.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance when interacting online, especially in romantic contexts. Police are reminding the public to be cautious of individuals who request money online, particularly when they have never met in person and offer elaborate justifications for financial support.

For the victims in this case, the damage extends far beyond their bank accounts. The betrayal of trust and emotional trauma that accompanies romance fraud can have lasting psychological effects. PRP hopes that through justice, healing may begin—and that this case serves as a warning to others navigating the often murky waters of online relationships.

Anyone with additional information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the PRP’s Fraud Bureau directly, as the search for other possible victims continues.