OAKLAND — A man who allegedly participated in a large scale romance scam was sentenced to two years in state prison, court records show.
Barnabas Jime was described by prosecutors as the money man in a romance scam ring, allegedly tasked with opening accounts and facilitating transactions whereby he and co-conspirators stole $840,363 from 120 people. Others, who weren’t named in court papers, posted as romantic interests of victims and used various tricks to convince them to part ways with their money, prosecutors said.
Jime allegedly created six different bank accounts with both faux identities, then used ATMs at Berkeley, Oakland, and Emeryville to withdraw funds from the alleged fraud schemes, authorities say.
Barnabas was identified after using an ATM in Emeryville during one of the illegal transactions, prosecutors said.
In an apology letter, Jime said that the sudden passing of his father, shortly after Jime enrolled in college, “ultimately caused misdirection in my life.”
I stand before you today seeking both redemption and a chance for rehabilitation. I plan to finish my bachelor’s degree, honoring my father’s sacrifices for my education,” he wrote.