A U.S. federal grand jury in New Mexico has convicted two Nigerian nationals, Olutayo Sunday Ogunlaja, 39, and Abel Adeyi Daramola, 37, for their roles in a $560,000 internet fraud scheme.
The duo, part of an international syndicate that included Nigerian celebrity auto dealer Adesuwa Ogiozee, now faces up to 20 years in prison following a four-day trial.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the scheme targeted a female victim in a romance scam orchestrated by the group.
Using a fictitious persona named “Glenn Brown,” the victim was coerced into transferring substantial sums of money, including $28,000 wired to a Woodforest Bank account linked to “Daramola Cars” in 2016.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed Daramola’s role in laundering proceeds of the scam. Records showed that he wired $18,000 to a seafood importer in Denmark and issued a $14,000 check to facilitate further transactions.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) uncovered damning text and WhatsApp communications on his phone, solidifying his involvement as a provider of bank accounts for fraudulent activities.
Ogunlaja’s complicity was also exposed through his Bank of America account. Authorities testified that the victim deposited $40,000 into his account in March 2016 at “Glenn Brown’s” direction.
Ogunlaja later made multiple cash withdrawals and transferred portions of the funds to Daramola’s account, further linking the two to the romance fraud scheme.
Adesuwa Ogiozee, who was also implicated in the syndicate, has denied all charges.
The celebrity auto dealer accused U.S. authorities of racial bias and targeting her due to her Nigerian heritage. However, prosecutors emphasized the strength of evidence tying the group to the fraudulent activities.
Both Ogunlaja and Daramola remain free on bail pending their sentencing, which has yet to be scheduled. Prosecutors indicated that the pair could face up to two decades in federal prison. The sentencing hearing will determine the exact punishment based on pre-sentencing recommendations.
The case underscores the persistent threat of internet fraud schemes and highlights the FBI’s commitment to dismantling international criminal networks.
As investigations continue, authorities have reiterated the need for individuals to exercise caution in online relationships, particularly those involving financial transactions.
—
Tags: Internet Fraud, U.S. Justice Department, FBI, Nigerian Nationals, Cybercrime
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
