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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Federal prosecutors say a man from Ghana living in Charlotte pleaded guilty to a scam targeting elderly people with promises of romance and wealth.
The Charlotte-based U.S. Attorney's Office said that Suleman Alhassan pleaded guilty Tuesday to wire and mail fraud conspiracy. No sentencing date was set.
[ALSO READ: Man accused of pocketing $1 million in romance scam]
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, he and others used online dating websites to target fraud victims and develop fake romantic relationships. They told victims they owned large amounts of gold and needed money to ship the gold from Africa to the U.S.
[ALSO READ: 'It can happen to you': NC ranked 'worst in country' for romance scams]
Prosecutors say the victims were promised a share of the profits from gold sales, but people lost more than $1 million through the scheme.
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Associated Press
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