A Nigerian national, Akinade Adedeji Raheem, has been extradited from the Republic to the United States to face charges over an alleged tax fraud scheme involving more than $100 million in fraudulent refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
According to a report by the BBC, Raheem was arrested in Benin after fleeing the US through Mexico and was subsequently extradited last week. He appeared before a US court following his arrival and faces charges of conspiracy to commit fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft.
According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Raheem and his alleged accomplices targeted hundreds of American taxpayers, stealing personal information, including Social Security numbers, to file fraudulent tax returns. Investigators allege that the group submitted more than 300 false returns between 2018 and 2023, claiming over $100 million in refunds.
The alleged proceeds were routed through prepaid debit cards and used to purchase second-hand vehicles, which were shipped to Nigeria, along with designer goods for resale. Authorities also named Abayomi Quadri Eletu, a co-accused allegedly operating from the UK and Nigeria, who has been arrested in Britain and is facing extradition proceedings.
US authorities said Raheem was placed on an Interpol Red Notice after leaving the country. His extradition involved law enforcement agencies from the US, UK and Benin Republic.
If convicted, Raheem faces up to 20 years in prison each for fraud conspiracy and money laundering, 10 years for access device fraud and an additional mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft.
