Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty to $50 Million Fraud Scheme

Animashaun Adebo, also known as Kazeem Animashaun, pleaded guilty in a federal court in Brooklyn, New York, to participating in a $50 million fraud scheme. The announcement was made by Joseph Nocella Jr., U.S.

Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. The fraudulent activities occurred between April 2021 and March 2022, involving business email compromise and romance scams that targeted individuals and small businesses across the United States.

The scheme utilized spoofed emails and false identities to trick victims into transferring funds, which were then diverted to accounts controlled by the syndicate. The funds were laundered through shell companies and used to purchase luxury watches.

Adebo's co-conspirator, Idowu Ademoroti, has already been convicted and sentenced for his role in the scheme. Nelson Ojeriakhi has been arrested and extradited to the U.S. and awaits sentencing.

The U.S. Attorney's Office continues to prioritize the prosecution of online criminal actors to recover victims' lost funds.