US COURT JAILS NIGERIAN FOR 15 YEARS OVER $1.5M FRAUD, MONEY LAUNDERING

April 1, 2026

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Agency Report

A Chief United States District Judge, Richard Myers II, has sentenced a Nigerian, Saheed Sunday Owolabi, to 15 years in prison for defrauding Americans and laundering over $1.5 million.

The United States Department of Justice disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, detailing how Owolabi orchestrated online romance scams targeting male victims in the United States.

According to the statement, Owolabi posed as a female online to build relationships with unsuspecting victims, deceiving them into sending money and sensitive personal information. Evidence presented in court included images found on his phone showing lavish spending of the proceeds of the fraud.

Reacting to the conviction, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Anthony Boyle, condemned the crime and warned that perpetrators of such schemes would be prosecuted regardless of their location.

The conviction adds to a growing list of Nigerians jailed in the United States for financial crimes. In a related development, another Nigerian, Ayobami Omoniyi, is set to be deported after serving a 32-month sentence for his role in a $202,000 money laundering scheme linked to business email compromise operations.

Authorities say the case underscores ongoing efforts to combat international fraud networks and bring perpetrators to justice.