Feds say Massachusetts man scammed 3 women out of $500,000

By MARK PRATT Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a Massachusetts man told three women he met at online dating sites fantastic stories about being involved in explosions on foreign oil rigs and needing money to get out of a French jail to scam them out of more than $500,000.

Kofi Osei was arrested Thursday and charged in Boston federal court with money laundering, making false statements to a bank and wire fraud.

Prosecutors say the charges are in connection with "romance scams."

He pleaded not guilty and is being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for Monday. An email seeking comment was left Friday with his federal public defender.