Abiola Kayode, a 37-year-old Nigerian national and a prominent figure on the FBI's Most Wanted Cyber Criminal list, has been extradited from Ghana to the United States to face charges related to a sophisticated $6 million business email compromise (BEC) scheme. The indictment, filed in Omaha, Nebraska in 2019, alleges Kayode's involvement in a complex fraud operation spanning from January 2015 to September 2016.
Kayode's arrest in April 2023 in Ghana followed a lengthy investigation by the FBI. His extradition concluded on December 11, 2024, with his initial court appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson. Judge Nelson ordered Kayode to remain in custody pending trial.
The indictment details how Kayode and his accomplices impersonated high-ranking executives at various companies. Using spoofed email accounts, they successfully deceived employees into authorizing fraudulent wire transfers totaling over $6 million. These funds were then channeled into bank accounts controlled by Kayode, some of which were linked to victims of separate romance scams, highlighting the intricate nature of the criminal network.
This case represents a significant step in the ongoing efforts by US authorities to dismantle the entire criminal network. Several co-conspirators have already been convicted and sentenced.
Adewale Aniyeloye, responsible for sending fraudulent emails, received a 96-month prison sentence and a restitution order exceeding $1.5 million. Pelumi Fawehinimi, who facilitated the fraudulent bank accounts, was sentenced to 72 months. Onome Ijomone, implicated in romance scams, received a 60-month sentence following his extradition from Poland. Alex Ogunshakin, another key figure, was sentenced to 45 months after his extradition from Nigeria earlier this year.
FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel emphasized the agency's unwavering commitment to apprehending the remaining fugitives. In a statement, he declared, “Our message to the remaining four co-conspirators; we are coming for you.” Agent Kowel also acknowledged the crucial role of international collaboration, specifically thanking the Ghanaian authorities for their assistance in Kayode’s extradition.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs. It is important to remember that an indictment is merely an accusation, and Kayode, like all defendants, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
