In a shocking development, a couple from New Jersey was apprehended following their involvement in a deceitful romance scam, tragically culminating in a 74-year-old Tennessee man’s death. Authorities reported that between August and October, Chinagorom Onwumere, 34, and Salma Abdalkareem, 27, engaged in a scheme to defraud their victim of substantial sums of money.
The intricate scam involved Abdalkareem impersonating a well-known actress, falsely cultivating a romantic relationship with the elderly victim. This deceitful interaction led the victim to share personal photographs. In a disturbing turn, Onwumere, masquerading as an FBI agent, accused the victim of engaging in a S*xual harassment lawsuit, demanding substantial fines to settle the matter outside of court.
As fear and pressure mounted, the victim was coerced into sending various checks, totaling over $100,000, to the couple. This financial strain is believed to have led to the victim’s tragic demise, as he was later found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound said Washington County Lt. Vince Walters.
New Jersey pair arrested after $100,000 romance scam leaves 74-year-old victim dead: police https://t.co/7A3WuMIN1E pic.twitter.com/DObeMY6MIG
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) December 1, 2023
In a meticulously executed scam, Onwumere and Abdalkareem manipulated the victim into issuing several checks, initially in amounts of $4,500 and $5,500. The demands escalated rapidly, with the victim later sending two checks, each amounting to $41,000. In total, it is believed that he sent over $100,000 to the deceitful pair.
Lieutenant Vince Walters of Washington County described the victim as being overwhelmed by fear, feeling compelled to comply with the monetary demands. The situation took a tragic turn when the 74-year-old was discovered deceased in his home, a victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
This heartbreaking discovery was made by his family, who also unearthed the incriminating emails. Authorities believe that the relentless extortion directly contributed to the victim’s suicide. The involvement of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was crucial in tracing and apprehending the duo responsible for this heinous crime.
The couple’s arrest in Piscataway, New Jersey, came after diligent investigative work by Tennessee police, working in conjunction with local authorities. The charges against Onwumere and Abdalkareem include extortion, financial exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable person, theft exceeding $60,000, and criminal impersonation, with further charges pending as the investigation continues. This case highlights the devastating impact of online scams, particularly on vulnerable individuals, and serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance in online interactions.
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