Nigerian National Sentenced to 3½ Years for U.S. Cyber Scams
CHICAGO — A Nigerian citizen has been sentenced to 43 months in federal prison for his role in a series of cyber-fraud schemes that targeted U.S. residents and businesses. The scams included phishing, romance fraud, and filing of fraudulent tax returns.
Overview of the Case
Ridwan Adeleke Adepoju, 33, operated out of Lagos, Nigeria, where he worked with co-conspirators to create fake email accounts, social media profiles, and documents to defraud individuals and organizations. The scams were often sophisticated and tailored to specific victims, ranging from individual taxpayers to companies in the Chicago area.
Adepoju was arrested in the United Kingdom in 2023 and later extradited to the United States. He pleaded guilty in March to federal charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Sentencing Details
On June 17, U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly sentenced Adepoju to three years and seven months in prison. The sentence followed a multi-agency investigation involving the FBI’s Chicago Field Office and IRS Criminal Investigation.
Broader Implications
The case highlights the increasing reach of cybercriminal networks and the U.S. government’s efforts to hold international actors accountable. Prosecutors emphasized the long-running and deliberate nature of the fraud schemes, which caused significant financial losses to both individuals and institutions.
Adepoju will serve his sentence in federal prison and may face additional legal proceedings upon release.
For more information, read the original Department of Justice press release:
