How a Smooth-Talking Swindler Wooed Millions Out of Bank Accounts (And Yup, Got Caught)

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So apparently, if you live in Phoenix and have a thing for online romance, there’s a NON-ZERO percent chance your heart might end up as empty as your checking account 💔💸. Meet Kingsley Ibhadore, a guy who went on a romantic spree that, frankly, made “The Bachelor” look like bargain grocery speed-dating.

Investigators say our new anti-hero—who could’ve at least brought some roses—shamelessly used fake love to collect almost $3 million from unsuspecting women. (Let’s just call him the ‘Casanova Catfish.’) According to FOX 10 Phoenix, Kingsley found several love-struck targets, convinced them he was Prince Charming—and voila! Checks for up to $100,000 started flooding in. I mean, did the guy have a PhD in Make-Believe Relationships?

After pocketing their money, Kingsley’s brand of romance involved opening 24 bank accounts—yes, 24, because why settle for just one fake identity when you could have a casting call of them? I’m talking Barry Bhoye, Celestin Cheick, Simone Diakite and Celestin Emmanuel. At this point, he’s basically playing the entire cast of Ocean’s Eleven, but without George Clooney’s jawline.

He outmaneuvered the banks by always taking out just enough cash to keep the FBI guessing, like a contestant playing “The Price Is Right” but hoping to avoid the Showcase Showdown… with the federal government. 🔎

US Secret Service Special Agent Scott Windish (not to be confused with an X-Men character) says Ibhadore made off with a cool $2.95 million in total. Individual victims went from losing $30K to $200K. Not even my student loans haunt me like that!

In the end, Kingsley pleaded guilty, landing himself 17 months of prison and three years of supervised release. So, if you get a friend request from Barry, Celestin, Simone, or someone promising “true love and just a little financial help,” maybe swipe left and give your bank account a hug. ❤️🏦

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2025-05-10 17:48