Houston, TX – Thursday, April 9, 2026 – Jasmin Sood, a key participant in a nationwide romance and wire fraud scheme that swindled primarily elderly and widowed victims out of more than $3.1 million, has been sentenced to 121 months (over 10 years) in federal prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas, announced the sentencing today, marking a significant victory for law enforcement against sophisticated financial predators.
Sood, 37, of Houston, USA, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Her conviction and subsequent sentencing bring to light the devastating impact of these manipulative schemes, which prey on the emotional vulnerabilities of their targets. Following her prison term, Sood will serve three years of supervised release and has been ordered, jointly with her co-conspirator, to pay full restitution of $3,123,073 to her victims.
The Charges Against Jasmin Sood
Jasmin Sood, also known by the alias Jaslynn Washington, faced charges stemming from her integral role in a romance scam operation that ran from approximately 2015 to 2022. The scheme, orchestrated primarily by her husband, Darlington Akporugo, 47, an undocumented immigrant from Nigeria, involved creating fictitious online personas to establish romantic relationships with victims. Once trust was gained, the perpetrators would solicit large sums of money under false pretenses, often citing non-existent businesses or fabricated personal hardships.
Sood’s specific role in the criminal enterprise was critical to its success. She was responsible for establishing numerous fake businesses and opening fraudulent bank accounts under various aliases. She then used disguises to deposit the illicitly obtained funds, effectively laundering the proceeds of the scam. In some egregious instances, victims were coerced into opening lines of credit for Akporugo or purchasing luxury vehicles for his personal use. The couple even met at least one victim in person in Houston, driving her to banks to facilitate money transfers and convincing her to hand over control of her banking access devices.
Scale of the Crime: Millions Stolen, Dozens of Lives Shattered
The scale of the fraud perpetrated by Jasmin Sood and her co-conspirators is staggering. Authorities identified over 25 victims across the nation, many of whom were elderly individuals, including several widows, from locations as diverse as Chicago and Kentucky. The total amount defrauded from these vulnerable individuals exceeded $3.1 million, specifically $3,123,073. Four victims provided emotional testimony at the sentencing hearing, recounting the profound financial and emotional ruin inflicted by the couple’s calculated deceptions. One victim, in a particularly heartbreaking account, was manipulated into buying a luxury vehicle and renting a mansion for the couple’s personal use.
“This sentencing sends a clear message that those who exploit the trust and vulnerabilities of others for financial gain will face severe consequences. The courage of the victims in coming forward was instrumental in dismantling this elaborate fraud.”
The scheme’s long duration, from 2015 to 2022, allowed the fraudsters to systematically target and drain the life savings of numerous individuals, leaving a trail of financial devastation and emotional betrayal.
Who Is Jasmin Sood?
Jasmin Sood, a 37-year-old resident of Houston, USA, was identified as a key accomplice in the romance scam. While details of her profession outside of the criminal enterprise are not readily available, her involvement in the fraud was extensive and highly organized. Her marriage to ringleader Darlington Akporugo solidified their partnership in crime. The couple was arrested in April 2024, just weeks before their scheduled wedding in May 2024, which was subsequently canceled. Sood entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud on December 17, 2024, acknowledging her culpability in the elaborate scheme.
Investigation Details: HSI Uncovers the Deception
The investigation that ultimately led to the conviction of Jasmin Sood was spearheaded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston. The multi-year probe meticulously pieced together the intricate web of deceit, fake identities, and fraudulent transactions. The success of the investigation hinged significantly on the bravery of the victims who, despite their embarrassment and emotional distress, came forward to report the fraud to law enforcement. Their timely reports provided critical leads that enabled HSI to track the flow of illicit funds and identify the individuals behind the scheme.
The indictment included a notice of forfeiture for all illegally derived proceeds from the fraud scheme, underscoring the commitment of authorities to recover assets and provide restitution to the victims.
What Happens Next: Prison Term and Restitution
With her sentencing, Jasmin Sood now faces over a decade in federal prison. She remains in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility. Her co-conspirator, Darlington Akporugo, who pleaded guilty to the same charges on February 28, 2025, also received his sentence in late June 2025. Both are jointly liable for the full restitution amount of $3,123,073, a daunting sum that reflects the extensive financial damage inflicted upon their victims. The legal proceedings highlight the severe penalties for those engaging in such predatory financial crimes.
For more information on related fraud investigations, visit our archives.
Protecting Yourself: Recognizing the Red Flags of Romance Scams
The case of Jasmin Sood serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive threat of romance scams. These fraudsters exploit human emotions, often targeting lonely or vulnerable individuals. Readers should be vigilant for several common red flags:
- Fictitious Personas: Scammers use fake names, profiles, and often stolen images on social media and dating sites.
- Rapid Relationship Development: They aim to establish a strong emotional connection and declare love very quickly.
- Requests for Money: Any request for money, especially for emergencies, investments in non-existent businesses, or personal hardships, is a major warning sign.
- Promises to Meet (but never do): Scammers frequently propose marriage and make plans to meet in person, but these meetings rarely materialize, with new excuses always arising.
- Directing Funds to Personal Accounts/Aliases: Be suspicious if you are asked to send money to personal bank accounts, especially those under different names or fake business names.
- Coercion for Financial Control: Never grant anyone control over your banking access devices or open lines of credit at their behest.
If you suspect you are being targeted by a romance scam, or if you have already sent money, immediately cease all communication with the individual and report the incident to law enforcement. Your prompt action can help prevent further financial loss and assist authorities in apprehending these criminals.
