Cybercrime is a growing concern, affecting individuals and businesses alike.
The rise of technology has opened the door for new types of crime.
This include business email compromise (BEC) schemes, where fraudsters trick people into transferring money through fraudulent emails.
These criminals often operate across borders, making it challenging for authorities to track them down.
Abiola Kayode Extradited To US
One such case involves Abiola Kayode, a 37-year-old Nigerian who had been on the FBI’s Most Wanted Cyber Criminal List.
Authorities accused Kayode of defrauding businesses in Nebraska and other states out of millions of dollars through a BEC scheme.
However, after being on the run for several years, Ghanaian authorities arrested him in April 2023, and they recently extradited him to the United States to face charges.
Kayode’s extradition followed a conspiracy to commit wire fraud indictment filed against him in August 2019.
He appeared in court on December 11, 2024, before United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson, who ordered his detention pending trial.
The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Nebraska, alleges that Kayode participated in a BEC scheme between January 2015 and September 2016, tricking businesses into wiring over $6 million.
People Also Read: Niger: Man Arrested For Stealing 33 Wrappers Worth ₦ 1m
Abiola Kayode Fraud Activities
The scheme involved impersonating business executives and sending fake emails to employees, convincing them to transfer large sums of money to accounts controlled by Kayode and his associates.
Authorities claim that Kayode provided the bank account details that moved the stolen funds, many of which he further transferred through accounts owned by victims of internet romance scams.
FBI Warning
Kayode is not the first to face justice for cyber fraud.
The authorities have already sentenced several of his co-conspirators, including Adewale Aniyeloye, who received a 96-month sentence in 2019, and Alex Ogunshakin, who received a 45-month sentence in October 2024.
The FBI is committed to dismantling cyber-criminal groups.
Eugene Kowel, the FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge, said, “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.”
