A Nigerian national has been sentenced to 115 months in prison in the United States after being convicted for his role in a $700,000 romance scam targeting victims online.

The convict was found guilty of using fake identities to build romantic relationships with unsuspecting individuals and defrauding them of large sums of money through coordinated internet-based schemes.

U.S. prosecutors said the fraudulent activities involved emotional manipulation, false promises, and staged financial emergencies designed to extract funds from victims over time.

The case, which was tried in the United States, forms part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to clamp down on cybercrime and cross-border financial fraud.

Authorities noted that the defendant’s actions caused significant financial and emotional harm to victims who believed they were in genuine relationships.

Following investigations and trial proceedings, the court handed down a prison term of 115 months, along with other possible restitution measures for affected victims.

Cybercrime remains a major concern for law enforcement agencies globally, with authorities in the United States intensifying prosecutions of individuals involved in romance scams and online fraud networks.

Officials have continued to warn the public to be cautious of online relationships that involve financial requests or suspicious behaviour.