Army Servicemember Stationed at Fort Bragg Indicted

Summary

A press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, dated Friday, March 3, 2023, announcing the arrest of Sanda G. Frimpong, 33, an active duty servicemember stationed at Fort Bragg, upon the unsealing of a 19-count indictment. According to the indictment, Frimpong and other conspirators ran romance and impersonation scams, and Frimpong allegedly laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars in proceeds through bank accounts and contacts in Ghana. The indictment also alleges that Frimpong and others used stolen identities to apply for unemployment assistance, obtaining over $100,000 in CARES Act funds. The counts include money laundering, wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy, aggravated identity theft and access device fraud.

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PRESS RELEASE



Army Servicemember Stationed at
Fort Bragg Indicted in Connection
With Romance Scams and COVID-
19 Assistance Fraud
Friday, March 3, 2023


For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of North Carolina
RALEIGH, N.C. – Sanda G. Frimpong, 33, was arrested Wednesday 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 stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, faces between up to ten and up to
twenty years in prison per count, and potential fines.

“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.

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the
announcement after United States Magistrate Judge James E. Gates presided over
Frimpong’s Initial Appearance. Defense Criminal Investigative Service is leading the
investigation with the assistance of the Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector
General, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Beraka is prosecuting the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District
Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5-
23-CR-35-D.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven
guilty.

                                            ###
Updated March 3, 2023

Topics
FINANCIAL FRAUD


Component
USAO - North Carolina, Eastern


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