Jasmin Sood (aka Jaslynn Washington), a Houston resident, was a central figure in a pervasive romance scam operation that meticulously defrauded dozens of vulnerable individuals, primarily elderly widows, out of more than $3.1 million. Her sentencing on June 24, 2025, to over a decade in federal prison, marks a significant closure in a case that highlights the devastating human and financial toll of online deception.
Who Is Jasmin Sood (aka Jaslynn Washington)?
At 37 years old, Jasmin Sood operated from Houston, Texas, in partnership with Darlington Akporugo, a 47-year-old Nigerian national. Prior to her involvement in this extensive fraud scheme, details about Sood’s legitimate profession or any affiliations with reputable companies remain undisclosed. Her public persona, as it emerged during the investigation, was meticulously crafted to facilitate deception, utilizing aliases and disguises to execute the elaborate financial maneuvers required by the scam. Her role extended beyond mere participation; she was instrumental in creating the infrastructure of deceit, including fake businesses and bank accounts designed to funnel the illicit gains.
The Scheme Exposed
The romance scam orchestrated by Sood and Akporugo was a calculated campaign of psychological manipulation and financial exploitation, running for approximately seven years from 2015 to 2022. The duo targeted susceptible individuals, predominantly elderly women and widows, through various social media platforms and online dating sites. Their modus operandi involved creating fictitious identities and social media profiles to initiate what appeared to be genuine romantic relationships. Once a victim’s trust was secured, the scammers would invent elaborate narratives to solicit large sums of money. These fabricated reasons often included urgent personal emergencies, such as medical crises or legal troubles, or enticing but non-existent investment opportunities.
Sood’s specific contributions to the scheme were critical. She was responsible for establishing fake businesses and opening numerous bank accounts under various aliases. These accounts served as conduits for depositing the fraudulently obtained funds. To avoid detection, Sood employed disguises when making these deposits. The perpetrators even went as far as to meet victims in person, driving them to banks and coercing them into transferring funds directly or granting access to their banking devices, amplifying the coercive nature of their fraud. This direct interaction made the betrayal even more profound for the victims.
Following the Money
The scale of the operation was vast, defrauding over 25 victims across multiple states, from Chicago to Kentucky. The total amount stolen, laundered, and ultimately lost through this sophisticated scheme exceeded $3.1 million. This substantial sum underscores the extensive reach and effectiveness of their deceptive tactics. While the investigation led to the apprehension and conviction of Sood and Akporugo, the full recovery of these funds remains an ongoing challenge, leaving many victims with significant financial devastation.
The Investigation
The unraveling of this elaborate fraud began with an investigation initiated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston. Their diligent work led to the apprehension of both Darlington Akporugo and Jasmin Sood in April 2024. The investigation meticulously pieced together the intricate web of fake identities, fraudulent transactions, and coercive interactions that characterized the scam, ultimately building a compelling case against the perpetrators.
Victims Left Behind
The human cost of the romance scam perpetrated by Jasmin Sood (aka Jaslynn Washington) is immeasurable. The victims, primarily dozens of elderly individuals, including several widows, endured not only severe financial losses but also profound emotional trauma. Four victims testified at Sood’s sentencing hearing, sharing harrowing accounts of how they were manipulated and coerced into sending substantial amounts of money. One particularly egregious example detailed a victim being convinced to purchase a luxury vehicle and rent a mansion for the fraudulent couple, illustrating the depth of the psychological control exerted by the scammers. These testimonies painted a vivid picture of destroyed trust, shattered dreams, and the lasting emotional scars inflicted by such heartless deception.
“The emotional and financial devastation inflicted upon these vulnerable individuals by Jasmin Sood and her co-conspirator is a stark reminder of the predatory nature of romance scams. The justice system has held them accountable, but the scars for victims often run deep.”
Justice & Consequences
On December 17, 2024, Jasmin Sood pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, acknowledging her central role in the scheme. Her co-conspirator, Darlington Akporugo, followed suit on February 28, 2025. Justice was served on June 24, 2025, when Sood was sentenced to 121 months (over 10 years) in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Both Sood and Akporugo were ordered to pay full restitution totaling $3,123,073. The prosecution, spearheaded by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Carter, ensured that the perpetrators faced significant consequences for their actions. Both remain in custody, awaiting transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
Lessons Learned
The case of Jasmin Sood (aka Jaslynn Washington) serves as a critical warning regarding the pervasive threat of romance scams. Several red flags, if recognized, could have prevented these devastating losses. A quick escalation of a relationship, often involving declarations of love or marriage proposals early on, is a primary indicator of a scam. Scammers frequently push to move communication off secure dating platforms to less traceable channels like email or text messages. The inevitable request for money, often framed as a personal emergency or investment opportunity, is the most significant red flag. Other warning signs include poor spelling or grammar, social media profiles with few connections or recent activity, and persistent promises of in-person meetings that never materialize. Vigilance and skepticism are paramount when engaging with individuals online, especially when financial requests are involved. For more information on identifying and preventing such schemes, explore our related fraud investigations.
Always be wary of online acquaintances who profess love quickly, avoid meeting in person, or consistently ask for money, no matter how compelling their story. Protecting personal and financial information is crucial in the digital age.
