Abiola Kayode, a 37-year-old Nigerian, has been brought to the United States to face charges related to a significant cyber fraud case.
Details of Extradition
Kayode was extradited from Ghana to Nebraska after being arrested there in April 2023. He was handed over to FBI special agents following an indictment for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which was filed in 2019. Kayode made his initial court appearance on December 11, 2024, where U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson ordered his detention pending trial.
Allegations of Fraud
The charges against Kayode involve his alleged participation in a business email compromise (BEC) scheme that ran from 2015 to 2016, reportedly defrauding businesses of approximately $6 million. In this scheme, Kayode and his co-conspirators are accused of using spoofed emails to impersonate corporate executives, misleading employees into transferring money to fraudulent accounts. These accounts were often linked to victims of romance scams, used to launder the misappropriated funds.
Co-Conspirators and Previous Convictions
Several of Kayode’s accomplices have already faced justice, receiving prison sentences from 45 to 96 months for their roles in the scam. However, some remain at large, prompting continued law enforcement efforts.
FBI’s Commitment to Justice
FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel issued a statement emphasizing the agency’s resolve in combating cyber fraud. He highlighted the extradition of Kayode as a significant step in their ongoing campaign against cyber-criminal activities, targeting not just him but all involved in the scheme. Kowel affirmed, “Dismantling cyber-criminal groups that victimize U.S. citizens is a priority for the FBI, DOJ, and our international law enforcement partners,” and warned the remaining fugitives that they would be pursued relentlessly.
This case marks another international cooperation success between the U.S. and Ghanaian law enforcement in tackling global cybercrime.
