DAYTON, Ohio — A federal jury found an Ohio man guilty of charges he defrauded victims out of more than $800,000 by pretending to be an African prince.
The Department of Justice announced the conviction in a news release, saying that Daryl Robert Harrison, also known as Prince Daryl R. Attipoe and Prophet Daryl R. Attipoe, was convicted of mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and witness tampering.
Harrison had run a church with his stepfather, claiming to be ministers with Power House of Prayer Ministries, WHIO reported. From January 2014-September 2020, Harrison was accused of defrauding victims who thought they were investing in African trucking and mining companies.
Prosecutors said that Harrison was withdrawing money from the Ministries’ bank accounts shortly after receiving the investments, and used the money to rent a house in Colorado, and buy luxury cars, airplane tickets and more, WHIO reported.
An attorney representing Harrison’s stepfather declined to comment on the conviction to CNN and denied that his client was involved in the scam.
Harrison faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced.