Nigerian National Indicted In Maryland Romance Fraud Scam

BALTIMORE – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced today, that a federal grand jury indicted a Nigerien national, residing in Frederick, Maryland, in connection with a romance fraud scheme.

Ali Habou Maman, 58, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, and wire fraud. Maman and his co-conspirators allegedly assumed fictitious identities, posed as love interests, and developed what victims believed were romantic relationships to further the scheme.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Christopher R. Heck, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland, and Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office.

According to the indictment, beginning in October 2022, Maman and his co-conspirators allegedly colluded to commit wire fraud to personally enrich themselves. Maman and co-conspirators attempted to fraudulently obtain money and property from victims for their own personal benefit through romance, investment, and other fraudulent schemes. Maman and co-conspirators exchanged messages via WhatsApp about creating accounts with U.S. banks to receive funds from the victims.

On January 5, 2023, Maman filed articles of organization with the Maryland State Department of Assessments & Taxation for DDK Logistics LLC. In the articles of organization, Maman identified himself as the only authorized person and resident agent for DDK, and provided his Frederick, Maryland, home address as DDK’s business address. Maman opened 13 bank accounts for DDK at multiple different financial institutions.

Additionally, Maman identified himself as DDK’s owner, or chief executive officer, who had 100-percent beneficial ownership interest in the company. When financial institutions inquired, Maman told them DDK provided computer chips for vehicles and engaged in trading automotive parts.  But DDK did not have significant physical operations, engage in legitimate business activities, earn gross revenues, incur costs for goods sold, incur administrative expenses associated with business operations, report wages for employees to the State of Maryland, nor employ a significant number of workers.

Through the conspiracy, Maman and co-conspirators used DDK’s bank accounts to receive funds from victims. Co-conspirators used email, phone, and messaging applications to induce victims to turn over money and property.

While posing as romantic partners, co-conspirators told victims that they suffered various crises that required urgent financial assistance. Then the co-conspirators used other ruses, such as false investment and business opportunities, to fraudulently obtain funds from victims.

Maman and his co-conspirators created fictitious documents, websites, and other records to support the claims they made to their victims. Co-conspirators then directed victims to send money to Maman via the DDK Accounts, including by personal check, cashier’s check, and wire transfer. After Maman received the victims’ funds, he made outgoing wire transfers from DDK’s accounts to bank accounts belonging to third parties in several different countries, including the United States, China, India, and Indonesia. Maman retained a portion of the funds as a fee.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

If convicted, Maman faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for each of the charged counts. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, which seeks to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a collaborative and comprehensive response to the growing threat to public safety and national security. The HSTF integrates personnel, including law enforcement agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff, from federal agencies to combat crime in our communities.

U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes commended HSI and the FBI for their work in the investigation. U.S. Attorney Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Levin and Adeyemi Adenrele who are prosecuting the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.