A 37-year-old Nigerian Abiola Kayode listed on the FBI’s most wanted cyber criminals has been extradited from Ghana to Nebraska, United States, over his alleged involvement in a $6 million business email compromise (BEC) scheme.
The US Attorney’s office for the District of Nebraska announced on Thursday that Ghanaian authorities arrested Kayode in April 2023. Following a formal extradition request, FBI special agents transported him to Nebraska, where he appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Michael Nelson on December 11, 2024. Judge Nelson ordered his detention pending trial.
Mr Kayode faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in a BEC scheme from January 2015 to September 2016. Authorities allege that Kayode and his associates impersonated business executives in fraudulent emails designed to deceive employees into transferring funds to accounts under their control. The scheme defrauded businesses in Nebraska and other states of more than $6 million.
Investigators claim Kayode provided banking details to facilitate the movement of stolen funds. Some of these accounts reportedly belonged to victims of internet romance scams who were manipulated into further transferring the illicit money.
The case is part of a broader crackdown on cybercriminals associated with BEC scams. Several of Kayode’s co-conspirators have already been sentenced.
Adewale Aniyeloye was sentenced to 96 months in February 2019 with restitution of $1.57 million.
Pelumi Fawehinimi was sentenced to 72 months in March 2019 with restitution of $1.01 million.
Onome Ijomone was extradited from Poland and sentenced to 60 months in January 2020 with restitution of $508,934.
Alex Ogunshakin was sentenced to 45 months in October 2024 following his extradition from Nigeria.
Speaking in a statement, FBI Omaha special agent in charge Eugene Kowel said: “Four years ago, we identified six Nigerian nationals suspected of defrauding individual victims and businesses in Nebraska and other states of millions of dollars.
“Today, Abiola Kayode is the second of those co-conspirators to be extradited to stand trial in Nebraska. Our message to the remaining four co-conspirators; we are coming for you. Dismantling cyber-criminal groups that victimize U.S. citizens is a priority for the FBI, DOJ, and our international law enforcement partners.
“The FBI, working together with our partners in Ghana, particularly the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, the Ghana Police Service – INTERPOL, and the Ghana Immigration Service, will continue to pursue and bring to justice criminals who engage in Business Email Compromise and other fraud schemes.”
