The gold bar scam: Who is Rubbin Sarpong?
Online romance has become a common aspect of modern dating. But what happens when the person on the other side of the screen isn’t who they say they are? What happens when that trust is shattered?
That’s precisely what 88 women experienced after falling victim to a sophisticated romance fraud scheme run by Rubbin Sarpong. New Jersey-based Sarpong posed as a U.S. soldier stationed in Syria.
Over several years, Sarpong manipulated and deceived women out of millions. He left emotional devastation — and in one tragic case, death — in his wake.
The shocking story is featured in A Perfect Scam, a new exclusive series on Crime+Investigation available from Tuesday, 3rd June. Through compelling interviews with victims, their families and law enforcement, the series explores how seemingly harmless interactions spiralled into life-altering tragedies.
Read on to learn more about Sarpong’s deceit, how he ran his complex scam, and the techniques he used to keep one step ahead of his victims.
The man behind the mask
From the outside, Rubbin Sarpong lived a flashy lifestyle. His social media accounts showed off designer clothes, stacks of cash, and luxury cars — but it was all built on lies. Behind the scenes, he was running a calculated and heartless scam that exploited one of the most vulnerable human needs: the desire to love and be loved.
Between 2016 and 2019, Sarpong and a group of co-conspirators, some of whom were based in Ghana, posed as U.S. military officers on dating websites such as Match.com, PlentyOfFish, and OurTime.
Using stolen photos and fake names, they created believable profiles, complete with details about life in war-torn Syria. To further build trust, they sometimes sent forged military IDs or staged photos.
Their goal? Gain trust, create an emotional bond and then ask for money, all under the guise of needing help transporting gold bars out of Syria.
Needing help to ‘get home’
Once a connection had been made, the stories followed a similar pattern. The fake soldier — sometimes 'stationed' in Syria or elsewhere in the Middle East — would explain that he’d come across a stash of gold bars and needed help getting it to the U.S. The women, now emotionally invested in the relationship, were told they’d be rewarded once the gold was safely delivered.
Throughout the fraud, more than 30 victims across the United States wired money to bank accounts controlled by Sarpong. The funds were allegedly intended for shipping, taxes and legal fees — whatever Sarpong claimed was necessary to bring the gold 'home'.
One woman sent nearly $94,000. Another tragically took her own life when she realised she had been deceived.
The one that got away
Sarpong’s swindle was disturbingly well-organised. He used multiple email addresses, phone numbers and fake identities to manage different victims simultaneously. He coordinated with others overseas who played various roles in the con — from fellow 'soldiers' to fake customs agents.
What’s even more disturbing is how brash the scammer was about his wealth. On Instagram, he flaunted wads of cash, Gucci belts, expensive jewellery — all while women who had fallen in love with him were left heartbroken and broke.
The day of reckoning
In 2019, Rubbin Sarpong was finally arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion. He pleaded guilty and, in May 2022, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. He was also ordered to pay $3 million in restitution to the victims of his crimes.
While justice was served, for many, it was too little, too late. Lives had been upended, savings drained, and emotional wounds left wide open.
The FBI's Gregory Ehrie told the media: 'Unfortunately, we live in an era where every contact we have with a stranger online must be viewed through the lens of scepticism.'
He went on to say: 'Fraudsters are constantly searching for ways to separate people from their money to reap a profit while putting forth little effort.'
Watch A Perfect Scam on Crime+Investigation from Tuesday, 3rd June. The series dissects each con from start to finish: how trust is cultivated, deceit is orchestrated, and lives are forever changed.
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