Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme - Crime

Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme - Crime - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum › Nairaland General › Crime › Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme (11830 Views)

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Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by Karemarealty288(op): 4:17am On Apr 08, 2025

Two Nigerians, Texan jailed in $4.9m U.S. tax refund fraud scheme

Two Nigerian nationals and a Texan have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a multi-million dollar tax refund fraud scheme that exploited stolen identities and laundered proceeds through both U.S. and foreign financial institutions.

Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. announced the sentencing of Imafedia Adevokhai, 47, of Alpharetta, Georgia; Osazuwa Peter Okunoghae, 46, of Houston, Texas; and Michael Martin, 52, of Texarkana, Texas, following their guilty pleas in connection with the conspiracy.

Adevokhai, a Nigerian national, pleaded guilty to money laundering on February 15, 2023, and was sentenced on April 2, 2025, to 46 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder, III. He was also ordered to pay $90,380.60 in restitution and $3,500 in forfeiture.

Okunoghae, another Nigerian national residing in Houston, received the harshest sentence of the trio — 78 months in federal prison — after pleading guilty to money laundering conspiracy in November 2019.

He was sentenced on January 13, 2022, and ordered to pay $451,117.63 in both restitution and forfeiture.

Martin, the only American among the convicted, pleaded guilty to conspiracy on February 14, 2023. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison on November 21, 2023, and ordered to pay $90,380.60 in restitution and $121,623.41 in forfeiture.

According to court records, the three men were involved in a sophisticated Stolen Identity Refund Fraud (SIRF) operation spanning multiple years. They used personal identifying information from dozens of victims to file fraudulent tax returns totaling nearly $5 million, causing a confirmed loss of over $390,000 to the U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

“The Eastern District of Texas is committed to prosecuting individuals who participate in schemes to steal personal information, prepare and file fraudulent tax returns, and launder the proceeds,” McGlothin said.

IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) agents uncovered the fraud after tracing a complex network of financial transactions involving multiple U.S. and foreign bank accounts.

Special Agent Christopher J. Altemus Jr., who leads the IRS-CI Dallas Field Office, praised the agency’s investigators, stating, “Their sentences should be a warning to anyone who would try to defraud the U.S. Government or prey on law-abiding taxpayers.”

The investigation revealed that Adevokhai primarily handled the preparation and submission of the fraudulent tax returns, while Okunoghae and Martin focused on laundering the proceeds — transferring funds through various accounts in a bid to obscure the source of the money.

Nigerian man extradited to U.S. over cyber intrusion, $1.3m tax fraud scheme
The case dates back to a broader 2019 indictment that included individuals from three U.S. states and others based in Nigeria, pointing to a transnational fraud network.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld and Sean Taylor.

Federal authorities reiterated that prosecuting SIRF crimes remains a top priority, as such schemes threaten the integrity of the U.S. tax system and drain billions from public coffers.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/04/two-nigerians-texan-jailed-in-4-9m-u-s-tax-refund-fraud-scheme/#google_vignette

2 Likes

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by eluquenson(m): 5:18am On Apr 08, 2025*

Good punishment for them

8 Likes

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by Antichristian2: 5:19am On Apr 08, 2025

Hushpuppy wannabes!

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by kennyz247(m): 5:20am On Apr 08, 2025

A developer caught again..

13 Likes 5 Shares

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by Jeezuzpick(m): 5:20am On Apr 08, 2025

Omo!

See restitution/fines money!

See forfeiture!

Those goons must have made a lot of money that the Feds haven't even found.

Now, where are the APCheat lapdogs who defended their Oga saying forfeiture doesn't mean conviction?

Come and see how people plead guilty and were asked to forfeit huge sums of money.

22 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by Jeezuzpick(m): 5:21am On Apr 08, 2025

kennyz247:
A developer caught again..

Those names are Edo names.

Did you read the post well?

36 Likes

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by MICVOCT(m): 5:22am On Apr 08, 2025

MICVOCT
Circumventing difficulties

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by Skynetdotio: 5:26am On Apr 08, 2025

Ikpokirikpo!
Ain't nothing shocks a real nigga anymore...

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by pquaver(m): 5:30am On Apr 08, 2025*

Jeezuzpick:
Omo!

See restitution/fines money!

See forfeiture!

Those goons must have made a lot of money that the Feds haven't even found.

Now, where are the APCheat lapdogs who defended their Oga saying forfeiture doesn't mean conviction?

Come and see how people plead guilty and were asked to forfeit huge sums of money.

Dont be ignorant... So why where they sentenced after the forfeiture?
Oya show us tinubus sentence to prison... Oya show us.. Una go just dey display una intelligence handicap for public anyhow

Go and read difference between civil and criminal matters

39 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by Thunderfayamods: 5:32am On Apr 08, 2025

Jeezuzpick:
Omo!

See restitution/fines money!

See forfeiture!

Those goons must have made a lot of money that the Feds haven't even found.

Now, where are the APCheat lapdogs who defended their Oga saying forfeiture doesn't mean conviction?

Come and see how people plead guilty and were asked to forfeit huge sums of money.

Olodo! Why wasn't the person you are talking about sent to prison?

9 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by Thunderfayamods: 5:33am On Apr 08, 2025

kennyz247:
A developer caught again..

Those are Edo names moreover this is not cocaine.

10 Likes

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by hustler2828: 5:33am On Apr 08, 2025

Normal normal, frauding the government and corporations remains the best type of fraud, even though you will be caught at a certain stage.

3 Likes

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by Jeezuzpick(m): 5:36am On Apr 08, 2025

Thunderfayamods:
Olodo! Why wasn't the person you are talking about sent to prison?

Yeah......I knew they' would come.

Oya, keep coming.

This post is for y'all.

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by Believeintruth: 5:39am On Apr 08, 2025*

kennyz247:
A developer caught again..

That's an Edo name bro. Shey you no get sense ni?

13 Likes

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by Thunderfayamods: 5:41am On Apr 08, 2025

Jeezuzpick:
Yeah......I knew they' would come.

Oya, keep coming.

This post is for y'all.

Go to work you have no reasonable response.

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by Osiris12: 5:47am On Apr 08, 2025

Chai. Omo. See cash out

1 Like

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by AareGaa: 5:55am On Apr 08, 2025

Jeezuzpick:
Those names are Edo names.

Did you read the post well?

But the shape of their heads shows they are our Mkpurumini blodas

1 Like

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by Danisaint112(m): 5:58am On Apr 08, 2025

kennyz247:
A developer caught again..

AareGaa:
But the shape of their heads shows they are our Mkpurumini blodas

Tribalistic Clout Chasers. Enemies of Nigeria.

6 Likes

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by Dynamicboss: 6:02am On Apr 08, 2025

kennyz247:
A developer caught again..

Edo

3 Likes

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by ChybuzzDD(m): 6:06am On Apr 08, 2025

kennyz247:
A developer caught again..

Who are the developers? Those Edo people? Or you're being a senseless tribalist?

5 Likes

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by phorget(m): 6:16am On Apr 08, 2025

Thunderfayamods:
Those are Edo names moreover this is not cocaine.

If it were to be some skullll mining then we all know where they usually come from...😎

2 Likes

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by jmoore(m): 6:45am On Apr 08, 2025

AareGaa:
But the shape of their heads shows they are our Mkpurumini blodas

Always describing shape of heads like what a professional skull miner will do.

5 Likes

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by nkemoma(m): 6:45am On Apr 08, 2025

Jeezuzpick:
Those names are Edo names.

Did you read the post well?

Don't mind the zombie.

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by nkemoma(m): 6:46am On Apr 08, 2025

jmoore:
Always describing shapes of head like what a professional skull miner will do.

Na their work o...

Skull Miners

1 Like

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by nkemoma(m): 6:47am On Apr 08, 2025

ChybuzzDD:
Who are the developers? Those Edo people? Or you're being a senseless tribalist?

You de mind stupid slowpoke wey jus de type wetin come his skull?

1 Like

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by WesKiz: 6:48am On Apr 08, 2025

phorget:
If it were to be some skullll mining then we all know where they usually come from...😎

No bro developers claim and combine all crimes they lead in skull mining recently they are the leading tribe in all crime now

2 Likes

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by whnowz: 6:53am On Apr 08, 2025

What are these guys doing m g with all these money

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by chidi2003(m): 6:55am On Apr 08, 2025

eluquenson:
Good punishment for them

Kundus to all of us making legit money ✌️

That's right! You were precisely wonderful: no time defending rubbish, and no time accusing ethnicity - for an individualistic negative action. Do the crime, and pay the price;
Myopic Ibos and Yorubas on this forum are worst than Somalians - who collectively destroyed their country - through internal conflicts with the deplorable support of external forces! Let's learn from Somalian's catastrophic experience!

Re: Two Nigerians, Texan Jailed In $4.9 Million U.S. Tax Refund Fraud Scheme by kennyz247(m): 7:04am On Apr 08, 2025

ChybuzzDD:
Who are the developers? Those Edo people? Or you're being a senseless tribalist?

Your brain is leaking,did i in any way made mentioned of any tribe or is developer now a tribe in Nigeria,?

1 2 3 Reply

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