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(Instagram photo of Rubbin Sarpong, confirmed by authorities)

“Unfortunately, we live in an era where every contact we have with a stranger online must be viewed through the lens of skepticism,” said FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Gregory Ehrie. “Fraudsters are constantly searching for ways to separate people from their money in order to reap a profit while putting forth little effort.”

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STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images
hand on computer screen.
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Since January, 2016, Sarpong fooled his victims into collectively sending him money through wire transfers, personal/cashier's checks, and money transfer services such as Western Union, according to the criminal complaint. He told them he needed the money to ship gold bars to the United States, prosecutors said, but really kept it for himself and conspirators in Ghana.

Sarpong posted photographs of himself on social media posing with large amounts of cash, high-end cars and expensive jewelry.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rks MullaTeam (@rksmullateam) on Mar 2, 2017 at 1:56pm PST

(Instagram photo of Rubbin Sarpong, confirmed by authorities.)

He is scheduled to make an initial appearance before a federal judge in Camden on Wednesday afternoon and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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