META TO END END-TO-END ENCRYPTION FOR INSTAGRAM DIRECT MESSAGES. (PHOTO).

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 Meta to end end-to-end encryption for Instagram direct messages Meta is ending end-to-end encryption for Instagram direct messages, a feature the company says will no longer be available after May 8, 2026. Unlike WhatsApp, Instagram never offered encryption to all users or as a default; only select users in certain regions could opt in on a per-chat basis. A Meta spokesperson explained that the decision comes due to low adoption. “Very few people were opting in to end-to-end encrypted messaging in DMs, so we’re removing this option from Instagram in the coming months,” the spokesperson said. “Anyone who wants to keep messaging with end-to-end encryption can easily do that on WhatsApp.” Meta’s messaging strategy has shifted multiple times over the years. WhatsApp chats have been encrypted since 2016, and the company began rolling out default encryption for Messenger in 2023. However, Meta has not clarified whether the Instagram decision affects Messenger, which is still in the proc...

NIGERIAN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO $3M ROMANCE SCAM TARGETING ELDERLY AMERICANS. (PHOTO).


 Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty to $3M Romance Scam Targeting Elderly Americans

A 47-year-old Nigerian, Darlington Akporugo, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy in a U.S. court over a large-scale romance scam that defrauded elderly victims of over $3 million, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.


The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported that Akporugo was a key player in a Houston-based scam that targeted individuals across the United States, from Chicago to Kentucky. Working with accomplices, he posed as a romantic partner online, gaining victims’ trust before persuading them to send money to bank accounts under his control.


Details of the Scheme

Akporugo, an illegal immigrant in the U.S., pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy.

The scam involved over 25 victims, mostly elderly or retired individuals.

He used fake identities on social media platforms like Facebook to lure victims, convincing them to send money for fraudulent business ventures or fake personal emergencies.

Victims also opened credit lines in his name, and one even purchased a luxury vehicle for him.

Much of the stolen money was transferred overseas.


Law Enforcement Response

ICE Special Agent Chad Plantz condemned the scam, stating:

“This individual and his co-conspirators preyed on the vulnerable, defrauding them of their hard-earned savings. Thanks to victims who bravely came forward, we were able to expose this scheme and hold them accountable.”


Authorities arrested Akporugo just a month before his wedding, during an extensive multi-year investigation led by ICE.


Legal Consequences

Sentencing Date: June 6, 2025

Potential Penalty: Up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine

He remains in custody pending the hearing


Previous Arrest of Akporugo and Fiancée

In May 2024, Akporugo and his fiancée, Jasmin Sood, were arrested just days before their wedding in Houston, Texas. The couple allegedly ran a seven-year scam, primarily targeting widowed victims through dating sites and social media.


Authorities continue to encourage victims of romance scams to report such crimes, emphasizing that public awareness can prevent future victimization.

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