DAYTON, Ohio – A Dayton man, who as part of his fraud scheme purported he was a Ghanaian prince, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to the statutory maximum of 240 months in prison.
Daryl Robert Harrison, also known as Prince Daryl R. Attipoe and Prophet Daryl R. Attipoe, 44, was found guilty of 10 counts of various federal fraud crimes following a jury trial in September 2022. Harrison defrauded at least 14 victims of more than $800,000. He was convicted of mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and witness tampering.
According to court documents and trial testimony, from January 2014 until September 2020, Harrison defrauded victims who thought they were investing in African trucking and mining companies.
Harrison – falsely holding himself out to be a royal prince from the African national of Ghana – told investors he had direct connections with these companies, and that they could expect an investment return of 28 to 33 percent.
Harrison solicited prospective investors at local Starbucks coffee shops, IHOP restaurants, Kroger grocery stores, carwashes and fitness centers.
Harrison and his stepfather claimed to be ministers with Power House of Prayer Ministries, which sponsored religious services in various church facilities and private residences throughout the Greater Dayton area, Southwestern Ohio area and Parker, Colorado. Many investor victims were members of the congregation.
Harrison routinely withdrew thousands of dollars in cash from the Ministries bank accounts shortly after receiving investments. Harrison and his stepfather used the investment funds to rent a house in Colorado, purchase luxury vehicles, airplane tickets, hotel accommodations and rental cars.
The defendant was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2020.
