A Nigerian man has been sentenced to six years in prison after being found guilty of orchestrating an elaborate romance scam that defrauded a Guyanese woman out of millions of dollars.

The convict, identified as 34-year-old Chinedu Okafor, was handed the sentence by a Georgetown court on Thursday following a high-profile trial that shed light on the growing threat of online romance scams in Guyana.

According to court proceedings, Okafor posed as a wealthy foreign businessman on social media, using a fake profile to befriend and eventually develop a romantic relationship with his victim. Over several months, he manipulated the woman into believing they were in a genuine relationship and convinced her to send large sums of money under the pretense of urgent business investments and personal emergencies.

The scam unraveled when the victim, after becoming suspicious, reported the matter to local authorities. A thorough investigation led to Okafor’s arrest at a city hotel, where police recovered evidence linking him to the fraudulent activities, including fake identification documents and transaction records.

During sentencing, the presiding judge condemned Okafor’s actions, describing them as “calculated and heartless,” and emphasized the need for deterrence given the rise of similar scams targeting vulnerable individuals online.

In addition to his prison term, Okafor was ordered to repay a portion of the stolen funds. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant against online fraudsters and to report any suspicious activity to the police.

The case has sparked renewed calls for stronger cybercrime laws and greater public awareness to protect citizens from falling victim to romance and other internet-based scams.