Nigerian National Sentenced to Six Years in Jail for Package Delivery Romance Scam
June 12, 2025
A Nigerian national has been sentenced to six years in prison for his role in a package delivery romance scheme that defrauded multiple Guyanese citizens of millions of dollars.
Matthew Ejike Nwachukwu was found guilty on Thursday (June 12, 2025) by Magistrate Liverpool at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on two counts of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, in violation of Section 33 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8.01. He was sentenced to three years on each count, to be served consecutively.
The conviction follows an extensive investigation by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), which uncovered that Nwachukwu facilitated fraudulent romance and package delivery scams in 2022, acting as an accomplice to what authorities believe is a larger international criminal network.
One victim recounted that she was lured into a relationship by someone posing as a German national. In July 2022, she was informed that a package containing valuables, including diamonds, would be shipped to her via FedEx. Days later, she received a call from a foreign number instructing her to pay GY$155,000 at the McKenzie Post Office to retrieve the items, under the pretense of avoiding money laundering penalties.
Believing the scam to be legitimate, the woman made the payments. However, SOCU presented evidence in court showing that Nwachukwu arranged for individuals to collect the funds on behalf of the alleged German mastermind.
Nwachukwu was first charged and remanded in September 2022. He was represented in court by Attorney-at-Law Lawrence Harris, while SOCU Prosecutors Aaron Daniels and Neville Jeffers led the case.
SOCU has confirmed that investigations are ongoing and efforts are underway to apprehend the primary suspect — the German national — along with other accomplices believed to be part of a broader ring of romance scam operations run by foreign nationals in Guyana.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious online relationships or package delivery requests that involve payment.
