Unbelievable Story Of A U.S. Military Soldier Sanda G. Frimpong Involved In A Romance Scam Gang
A U.S. Soldier from Ghana becomes a real romance scam gang member
Author:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
About This Article
Former U.S. Army soldier Sanda G. Frimpong, formerly stationed at Fort Bragg, has been sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for his involvement in a money laundering romance scam targeting vulnerable individuals, including seniors and military veterans, from 2019 to 2022. Frimpong, 33, pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering in exchange for the dismissal of multiple charges, including wire fraud and identity theft.
His fraudulent activities, which included impersonating romantic partners and military personnel, resulted in the laundering of hundreds of thousands of dollars through various bank accounts and contacts in Ghana.
U.S. Attorney Michael Easley emphasized the seriousness of romance scams, particularly when perpetrated by a servicemember, while Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dillard stressed the importance of integrity within the armed forces. The investigation was led by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, with prosecution handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Beraka.
Just Unbelievable: Former Army Soldier/Servicemember Sanda G. Frimpong Sentenced to Prison in Money Laundering Romance Scam
A former Fort Bragg soldier, Sanda G. Frimpong, was sent to federal prison Thursday for a fraud scheme and online romance scams that stole hundreds of thousands from vulnerable, often elderly people, from 2019 to 2022.
Sanda G. Frimpong, 33, a former Ghanaian, was a U.S. Army specialist when he was arrested on the allegations in March 2023. He pleaded guilty in September to three counts of money laundering. In exchange for the plea, multiple counts of wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy, identity theft and device fraud were dismissed, record shows.
Sentenced to Prison
Sanda G. Frimpong, 33 (male), was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison and ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution to victims for laundering the illicit proceeds of an elaborate series of romance scams. Frimpong pled guilty to three counts of money laundering on September 14, 2023.
“Romance scammers exploit our most vulnerable citizens, even our seniors and military veterans, sometimes leaving them financially and emotionally devastated,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley. “The fact that an Army servicemember was involved in romance scams while serving as a soldier is appalling. We are partnering with the Department of Defense to drum out fraudsters and money launderers like Frimpong from our military ranks and put them in prison where they belong.”
“Integrity is a core tenet of the armed forces and when servicemembers choose to compromise their integrity for greed, it tarnishes the reputation of all others serving in uniform,” stated Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dillard, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “DCIS and its law enforcement partners will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold those accountable who cheat government programs and use online scams to prey on the most vulnerable.”
Frimpong and other conspirators, engaged in elaborate scams, impersonating romantic love interests, diplomats, customs personnel, military personnel, and other fictitious personas for the purpose of ensnaring their victims by earning their confidence, including promises of romance, sharing of an inheritance or other riches, or other scenarios intended to fraudulently induce the victims to provide money or property to the conspirators. Frimpong then laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars in proceeds of these frauds through his various bank accounts across state lines and through his contacts in Ghana. Frimpong was also an active-duty Army servicemember stationed at Fort Bragg during the commission of the offenses up until shortly after his arrest in 2023.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III announced the sentence. Defense Criminal Investigative Service led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Beraka prosecuted the case.
Arrested and Indicted
Sanda G. Frimpong, 33, was arrested on March 1st, 2023, upon the unsealing of a 19-count indictment that included charges of Money Laundering, Fraud, Conspiracy, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Access Device Fraud in connection with multiple interstate and international fraud and money-laundering scams. Frimpong, an active duty servicemember then stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, faced between up to ten and up to twenty years in prison per count, and potential fines – but instead go just 40 months.
“Online romance scams are increasingly targeting lonely, vulnerable, and often elderly victims,” stated US Attorney Michael Easley. “Our office is committed to seeking justice for fraud victims just as we are to prosecuting those who took advantage of programs intended to help unemployed and underemployed folks who struggled through the COVID-19 pandemic.”
According to the indictment, Frimpong and other conspirators, engaged in elaborate scams, impersonating romantic love interests, diplomats, customs personnel, military personnel, and other fictitious personas for the purpose of ensnaring their victims by earning their confidence, including promises of romance, sharing of an inheritance or other riches, or other scenarios intended to fraudulently induce the victims to provide money or property to the conspirators. Frimpong allegedly laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars in proceeds of these frauds through his various bank accounts across state lines and through contacts in Ghana.
Additionally, in a separate scam, according to the indictment, Frimpong and other conspirators fraudulently applied for unemployment assistance in various states, using stolen identities. This fraud included allegedly obtaining over $100,000 in funds intended for those struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic and made available via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”).
Frimpong was indicted on three counts of money laundering; seven counts of wire fraud; three counts of mail fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud; three counts of aggravated identity theft; and two counts of access device fraud. Arraignment before United States District Judge James C. Dever III is scheduled to occur later this year.
Please Rate This Article
Please Leave Us Your Comment
Also, tell us of any topics we might have missed.
Thank you for your comment. You may receive an email to follow up. We never share your data with marketers.
Recent Reader Comments
on Finding Meaning and Purpose After a Major Scam for Scam Victims – 2025: “I found the article excellent! Taking small steps toward rebuilding one’s life can be incredibly empowering. It often helps create…” Mar 25, 21:11
on The Joy That Refuses to Die: How Scam Victims Can Find Joy in Life’s Small Moments – Part 2 – 2025: “As you struggle daily with the consequences after a scam – DON’T FORGET ABOUT JOY -. Try to find it…” Mar 25, 13:52
on In Lying Lies Psychological Conflict for Those Who Have Been the Victim of Betrayal – 2025: “en cuestion de una victima de estafa es importante comprender que en algunos casos estas mentiras no son necesariamente intencionales…” Mar 24, 20:35
on Rediscovering Light: How Scam Victims Can Find Joy in Life’s Small Moments – Part 1 – 2025: “excelente articulo!.. la importancia de ver lo bueno que tenemos y disfrutar las pequeñas cosas, no es solo disfrutar cosas…” Mar 24, 17:41
on Taking a Leap of Faith – 2025: “I can relate with this article. My marriage to a man I trusted with my whole being, whom I entrusted…” Mar 23, 17:02
on Parkinson’s Law and Doomscrolling – Increasing Susceptibility to Scams – 2025: “We surf the Internet often aimlessly, for hours without realizing how doomscrolling has a harmful effect on our body, our…” Mar 22, 15:27
on Parkinson’s Law and Doomscrolling – Increasing Susceptibility to Scams – 2025: “A very interesting read. I enjoyed it and love learning something new. Thanks for adding the tools to help break…” Mar 22, 10:34
on Understanding Jordan B. Peterson’s Views on Evil: Scam Victims Have a Moral Obligation to Understand Evil – 2025: “Muy interesante, el mal es de alguna manera son las elecciones individuales que hacemos al no asumir la responsabilidad de…” Mar 21, 00:06
on Secrets Can Be Deadly For Scam Victims – Scam Victim Recovery Psychology: “I found this article very encouraging.” Mar 18, 18:23
on Monsters of the Id – How Scam Victims’ Own Emotions Can Sabotage Their Recovery – 2025: “Excelente articulo. El equilibrio en la tríada del ello, el yo y el superyó, según la teoría psicoanalítica de Sigmund…” Mar 18, 17:38
Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- SCARS Institute now offers a free recovery program at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
More Military Scam Related Information:
- U.S. Army Scammers / Fake Soldier Romance Scams (romancescamsnow.com)
- Recognizing Real United States Military & Soldiers (romancescamsnow.com)
- How To Spot Fake United States Military ID Cards (romancescamsnow.com)
- Click Here For A Guide To U.S. Military Ranks (romancescamsnow.com)
- Click here for our Impersonation Galleries (romancescamsnow.com)
- For more Scammer Photos visit www.ScammerPhotos.com
SCARS Resources:
- Getting Started: ScamVictimsSupport.org
- FREE enrollment in the SCARS Institute training programs for scam victims SCARSeducation.org
- For New Victims of Relationship Scams newvictim.AgainstScams.org
- Subscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.org
- Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Learn more about the Psychology of Scams and Scam Victims: ScamPsychology.org
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
- Worldwide Crisis Hotlines: International Suicide Hotlines – OpenCounseling : OpenCounseling
- Campaign To End Scam Victim Blaming – 2024 (scamsnow.com)
-/ 30 /-
What do you think about this?
Please share your thoughts in a comment below!
More ScamsNOW.com Articles
SCARS LINKS: AgainstScams.org RomanceScamsNOW.com ContraEstafas.org ScammerPhotos.com Anyscam.com ScamsNOW.com
reporting.AgainstScams.org support.AgainstScams.org membership.AgainstScams.org donate.AgainstScams.org shop.AgainstScams.org
youtube.AgainstScams.org linkedin.AgainstScams.org facebook.AgainstScams.org
Leave a Reply