₦airaland Forum

Nigerian con men Olalekan Bashiru, Emma Okereke, others convicted in $215 million FBI-led internet fraud bust

In total, they made an estimated $125 million from the scheme, with prosecutors alleging that about $50 million in illicit proceeds was used to purchase cashier’s checks.

Ten Nigerian nationals, alongside their co-conspirators, have been convicted in the United States of running Nigerian-linked transnational internet fraud syndicates that defrauded individuals and businesses to the tune of $125 million.

The criminals include Oluwafemi Michael Awoyemi, Ayobami Osas Christopher, Emmanuel ‘Omo Igbo’ Okereke, Olalekan ‘Ola Bash’ Bashiru, Casey Adesulu Jr, Jeremiah Agina, Ademola Balogun, Olabode Bankole, Chukwuemeka Evulukwu, and Ayorinde Emmanuel Adebayo.

In a statement by the U.S. attorney’s office on Thursday, the Nigerians were part of a group of 25 defendants who were convicted of fraud and money laundering charges following a four-day trial at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

Three defendants chose to have jury trials, while the others entered guilty pleas.

The prosecutors argued in court that the defendants were part of Nigerian-linked fraud gangs that specialised in targeting individuals, businesses and other organisations across several states in the U.S. through cyberattacks aimed at gaining access to e-mail accounts held by individual users.

Authorities stated the hacks enabled the gang to obtain sensitive information about each user, which they then used to send convincing fraudulent emails to their victims or individuals communicating with them, requesting payment for supposed legitimate business activities.

“Their objective was to gain access to e-mail accounts held by individual users. The co-conspirators would then monitor the communications and other activities of the individual email users to learn about their business practices and contacts,” the attorney’s office said.

Additionally, they targeted victims from countries outside the United States, including Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Panama, Bermuda, Romania, and other nations.

Officials also confirmed that upon receiving the illicit money from their victims, the gang members would immediately use a web of fraudulently created bank accounts and cash transfer systems to launder and distribute the funds.

Other members of the gang are Mark Dabney, India Barnes, Emmanuel Essilfie, Jeremiah Glinsey, Lon Goodman, Shaquille Jackson, Mikhail Keize, Katiera Lackey, Kingsley Owusu, Anton Parker, Carlton Pruitt, Ronnell Spencer, Aruan Drake, Peter Reed, and Emily Agyemang.

In total, they made an estimated $125 million from the scheme, with prosecutors alleging that about $50 million from the illicit proceeds were used to purchase cashier’s checks that were presented for payment to the New Dolton Currency Exchange, a Chicago-area money service business owned and operated by co-defendant Lon Goodman.

Prosecutors further disclosed that New Dolton Currency Exchange was used to reroute money payable to shell companies that those individuals controlled, and that the operation even continued despite explicit warnings from banks that checks were obtained with stolen funds or otherwise returned as fraudulent.

“The wire transfers sent by the victims ranged from tens of thousands to millions of dollars. In one instance, a victim business sent $2.7 million to a shell company bank account that was controlled by a conspiracy member,” the statement said.

Upon their apprehension by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, nearly $1.2 million worth of cashier’s checks, cryptocurrency, and cash were seized from the defendants.

The FBI also confiscated a Patek Philippe Nautilus watch ($45,000), an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch ($30,000), a Richard Mille Felipe Massa watch ($140,000), and a 4,423-square-foot residence in Lawrenceville, Georgia, from them.

They are scheduled to be sentenced at a later date, with sanctions for each defendant determined by factors peculiar to each case, including each defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, their role in the offence, and the characteristics of the violation

Daddyk87:
finally you found your happiness again

seunmsg:
The Supreme Court clearly nullified the fraudulent Ibadan convention yesterday. Thereafter, the Makinde faction starting peddling lies about the take over of the party by Wabara and other members of the discredited faction. The fact is, the Supreme Court never ruled that Chris Anyanwu was suspended as that was not even before the court.

The NWC led by Abdulrahman Mohammed was never nullified. The leadership of the party remains fully authentic and in office.

Melezenawii:
While replacing Bauchi Minister Yusuf Tuggar with another Yoruba from Kogi State! Is Yoruba the ONLY tribe in Kogi State? Why does it keep getting all the appointments in the state?

https://x.com/dawisu/status/2049884118733770847


Abeg when did Bianca become Yoruba?

Burob:
No rush, by 12 noon tomorrow the 30th day of April, definitely will be a Black Thursday for many.

casualobserver:
ADC has come with their deception. The Supreme Court did not affirm the David Mark leadership. It merely removed the status quo order.

seunmsg:
Wow! I did not se this coming. Another egghead from KPMG. Congratulations to Mr. Joseph Tegbe.

yarimo:
it's clear reading in English language is another problem to you abi

Parachoko:
You can't decide for Bala Gombe

When he's ready, he will pursue the case

For now, let him first take back the control of the position he deserves

happney65:
Both of them were annuled. They will now come to the table and start afresh

However the people coming to the table are Seyi Makinde's gang .

Can wè tell you now that it is over for the Wike group?.

Parachoko:
It's not the job of the court to do a thorough investigation


If Bala Gombe opens his mouth and tell the court he didn't resign, there's nothing the court can do about it.

fergie001:
David Mark wasn't sacked yesterday.
David Mark raised a Committee to conduct election into State EXCOs.

About 6 incumbent ADC State Chairmen said No, that it is their responsibilities to conduct election into State EXCOs. They went to Court and Justice Abdulmalik said yes. The National has no right to raise a committee to do that.

The suit has nothing to do with Nafiu Bala or David Mark. It centers on David Mark's powers to raise a Committee to conduct State EXCOs election.

seunmsg:
The Supreme Court actually dismissed David Mark's appeal as the leave of court was not obtained. As a result, the appeal is incompetent and whatever decision was made in respect of the preservatory order by the Supreme Court has no force of law. Basically, all parties will return to the Federal High court for a decision on the matter. So, the status quo remains. Let's stop misinterpreting the judgement and misleading the people.

gigabyte13:
For the illiterate
Case is referred back for retrial
So ADC still get court cases wey full ground
For the intelligent politicians
The hand writing is clear
Go ahead look for another party wey no get court case.

peterious10:
SUPREME COURT UNDER WIKE FINALLY WON THE BATTLE.

TELL ME WHO WILL BUILD SUCH A BIG MANSIONS FOR JUDGES AND NOT RULE IN HIS FAVOR?

Daddyk87:
I want to be like our great president Tinubu

seunmsg:
The AGF is the chief law officer of the Federation. He has the statutory responsibility to ensure the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is adhered to at all time. If INEC files the case, folks like you will still come out to call Amupitan so many unprintable names and then call for his resignation. So, let the AGF do his job and allow the affected political parties to defend themselves.