US authorities have extradited Nigerian national Adedunmola Gbadegesin to the US on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Two of Gbadegesin’s co-conspirators, Olatunbosun Oluwakayode Ajayi and Otunuya Ineh Eqwem Livingstone, have also been charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Gbadegesin and co-conspirators created fake online dating profiles. The co-conspirators would engage in online or telephonic communication with trusting, elderly US-based victims. Eventually, they would coerce the victims into transferring money to their ‘romantic partners’ or sharing their bank account information.
Gbadegesin’s co-conspirators in the US received the funds from the victims. They subsequently laundered the funds to return them to Gbadegesin in Nigeria. For his role in the conspiracy, Gbadegesin faces up to 20 years in prison, with a maximum penalty of $500,000.
Source: US Department of Justice
