Nigerian Man Arrested for Romance Scam After Seven Years

Adetunji Abudu, a 34-year-old Nigerian, was apprehended at Logan Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, on Monday night while attempting to re-enter the US from Istanbul, Turkey. He had evaded American authorities for seven years.

Abudu appeared before a court in Rhode Island on October 21, 2026, where he was ordered to remain in custody pending trial. A federal grand jury in Providence indicted him as one of six defendants involved in laundering millions of dollars from various fraud schemes, including online romance scams that primarily targeted elderly residents in the United States.

The fraudulent funds were allegedly funneled through bank accounts in Rhode Island, Idaho, and other states before being transferred to Nigeria. Abudu's legal troubles began in 2019 when FBI agents executed a search warrant at his residence in North Providence, Rhode Island.

He fled to Nigeria shortly after and remained a fugitive until his recent arrest. His five co-defendants have pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy, receiving sentences ranging from time served to 42 months in prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney John P. McAdams.