A court in Munich, Germany, has sentenced 12 members of a Nigerian organized crime syndicate to prison for operating an international romance scam and money laundering network.

The convicted individuals, aged between 34 and 55, received prison terms ranging from three years and four months to eight-and-a-half years after being found guilty of participating in a global fraud scheme.

According to the court, the group created fake online identities—often posing as U.S. soldiers deployed in the Middle East—to establish trust with victims through social media platforms and dating apps. Once victims believed they were in genuine romantic relationships, they were persuaded to send money for fabricated expenses such as medical bills, travel costs, or customs fees.

The victims were primarily women, elderly people, and individuals with disabilities.

Investigators said the proceeds from the scams were funneled to the Neo Black Movement of Africa, a Nigeria-based organization with operations in several countries.

The convictions follow a major police operation in April 2024, when German authorities arrested members of the network after years of surveillance and investigation. At the time, Bavarian police noted that many victims never reported the fraud because they felt embarrassed about being deceived.