US‑Based Nigerian, Leslie Mba, Pleads Guilty to $4m Wire Fraud, Immigration Fraud Case, Faces 25 Years Jail
A 40‑year‑old Nigerian resident in the United States, Leslie Mba, is facing significant criminal liability after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and making false statements on immigration documents. The offences carry potential sentences of up to 20 years’ imprisonment for wire fraud and an additional five years for immigration‑related falsehoods.
According to reports, Mba, who is alleged to be residing unlawfully in Houston, admitted to participating in a business email compromise scheme and orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded victims across the United States. The U.S. Attorney’s Office disclosed that between April 2018 and December 2023, Mba and his co‑conspirators compromised corporate emails and induced victims to transfer funds into fraudulent accounts, causing losses estimated at $4 million.
Court filings further revealed that Mba attempted to secure permanent residency in the U.S. through fraudulent marriages, despite having previously been ordered removed from the country.
Four other individuals—Grace Morisho, Rodgers Kadikilo, Kristin Smith, and Alexandra Golovko, all based in Houston—have also entered guilty pleas in connection with the scheme.
U.S. District Judge David Hittner has accepted Mba’s plea and fixed 26 February 2026 for sentencing. Pending that date, Mba will remain in custody.
This development comes less than 24 hours after another Nigerian, Cashmir Chinedu Luke, Chief Executive Officer of a U.S.‑based home care company, was arrested at San Francisco International Airport. Luke is accused of defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs of over $7 million and was apprehended while attempting to board a flight to Nigeria.
