Nigerian Akinade Raheem Extradited for $100M Fraud Scheme

Akinade Adedeji Raheem has been extradited from Benin to the United States to face federal charges for an alleged tax fraud scheme involving over $100 million in fraudulent refunds. The US Department of Justice, through the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, announced on October 27, 2026, that Raheem conspired to file hundreds of fraudulent tax returns using stolen identities from 2018 to 2023.

He was arraigned on October 26, 2026, and is currently in the custody of the US Marshals Service. Raheem faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

If convicted, he could face significant prison time. The investigation revealed that Raheem and co-defendant Abayomi Quadri Eletu laundered proceeds through money orders and purchased used cars, some of which were shipped to Nigeria.

The case is being investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation division and other law enforcement agencies.