₦airaland Forum

Nigerian Man Jailed 8 Years in US for Masterminding $1.3 Million Tax Fraud Scheme

A 37-year-old Nigerian national, Matthew Abiodun Akande, has been handed an eight-year prison sentence by a U.S. federal court for his involvement in a sophisticated cybercrime operation that defrauded the American government of over $1.3 million through fraudulent tax refunds. The scheme, which spanned five years, targeted tax preparation firms in Massachusetts, leading to the theft of sensitive personal data and the filing of more than 1,000 bogus tax returns.

Akande, who was residing in Mexico at the time of his activities, collaborated with at least four co-conspirators to hack into the computer networks of these firms. They stole personally identifiable information (PII) from unsuspecting taxpayers and used it to submit fraudulent claims, seeking refunds totaling over $8.1 million. The group successfully siphoned off more than $1.3 million before being caught.

The operation ran from around June 2016 to June 2021, involving tactics such as phishing, malware, and unauthorized access to protected computers. One named co-conspirator, Kehinde H. Oyetunji, a 33-year-old Nigerian living in North Dakota, was also implicated in the plot.

Akande was arrested in October 2024 at London's Heathrow Airport at the request of U.S. authorities and extradited to the United States on March 5, 2025. He appeared in federal court in Boston, where he pleaded guilty in April 2025 to 33 counts, including conspiracy to obtain unauthorized access to protected computers, wire fraud, theft of government money, and aggravated identity theft.

U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani sentenced Akande on Tuesday to eight years behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the FBI Boston division in collaboration with IRS Criminal Investigation.

This conviction underscores the growing threat of international cyber fraud targeting U.S. financial systems, with Nigerian nationals often implicated in such schemes. Experts warn that these operations not only drain public funds but also erode trust in digital tax processes.

Source: https://www.reportnaija.ng/2026/02/nigerian-man-jailed-8-years-in-us-for.html?m=1

Hmm. Too bad
Unless government make stringent law on crime commit in abroad this soiling of Nigeria's name will stop.

USA is not Nigeria..so be careful how you do fraudulent activities over there

This is a big disgrace to Nigeria....





From the westsidaz

I have seen what I wanted to see in the post.
Not disappointed.

tunde1200:
Hmm. Too bad
Unless government make stringent law on crime commit in abroad this soiling of Nigeria's name will stop.

They won’t stop it. Except they themselves stop. Because most of them in government have committed same or similar crime before engaging in government.

Those building Nigeria imagine abroad.

CJStarz:
I have seen what I wanted to see in the post.
Not disappointed.

Mathew what self because, I am not seeing the characters well

Akande is representing well
Naija we hail o 😍
Naija we hail o 😍
Naija we hail o 😍
Naija we hail o 😍
Naija we hail o 😍

How I wish that US government can endorse life imprisonment for all these lappy boys especially those with nigeria heritage and connection. Politicians are dealing with us right here in Naija and the laptop boys are spoiling our names too abroad. Just wondering why criminals plenty for Naija .... In and out.....

Show his face. let us see the face of the hediot

Abiodun no be soooo, if you come village come do your normal work ooo

I wonder why it is so difficult for these guys to stop this fraud they are doing.
In life, whether you are doing legitimate business or the illegitimate ones, you need Contentment

Hopefully others can be caught, so Nigerians living and doing legitimate business abroad can avoid the stigma of criminals

He probably felt safe committing crimes in Mexico and then travelling to UK.

I can imagine his shock when picked in London at Heathrow

Congrats to the next Governor of Ogun state.

Those criminals could have made the equivalent or more money working honest jobs over those five years in Yankee. They were clever but not so clever.

Na them dey oppress others online

Doing these kain things inside yankee na rubbish, people dey do am from outside sef dem dey go after them

Not everyone wry dey abroad dey do legit worky brothers. Some are into terrible crimes that if you hear about it, you wouldn't want to believe that's what they are actually doing.

They come home with containerized cars and plenty of dollars.... Please don't be deceived, many renders family homeless abroad, hungry and penniless cos they have stolen their life savings, their entitlements with government etc... Just to come to Africa and spend it Lavishly on some stupid activities..... Don't envy those I wanna wanna guys or those money na water....

Abike Somebody see your life

This one will soon turn traditional ruler of his state. Thats how they roll

TheChameleon:
He probably felt safe committing crimes in Mexico and then travelling to UK.

I can imagine his shock when picked in London at Heathrow

yeah he must be really be shocked.

Abuke left the group chat through the back door

Omo na wa o. 8 years is too small sef

Ones they get caught and charge outside the shores of Africa,the sharply plead guilty.had this happen here he could have not pleaded guity and he might go off the radar of EFCC