Two Nigerian men, Akinade Raheem and Abayomi Eletu, are facing up to 50 years in prison each for their involvement in a massive tax fraud scheme that allegedly stole over $100 million from the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The U.S. Department of Justice announced the charges on Wednesday, revealing that Raheem, 43, and Eletu, 42, conspired with others to file more than 300 fraudulent tax returns using stolen identities. The scheme, which spanned from 2018 to 2023, involved impersonating accountants and taxpayers to gain access to sensitive financial information and claim unauthorized refunds.
Raheem, a resident of the United States, and Eletu, based in the United Kingdom, obtained personal details including names, addresses, and Social Security numbers of real taxpayers and tax professionals. They used this information to create fake IRS accounts and request private taxpayer data, which they then exploited to file false returns. The indictment unsealed in the Northern District of Georgia and the Western District of Texas outlines multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft.
Eletu faces a particularly heavy charge load, including five counts of mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud, seven counts of access device fraud, and 21 counts of aggravated identity theft. Raheem is charged with 14 counts of access device fraud and 14 counts of aggravated identity theft. The maximum penalties for the conspiracy charges include 20 years for mail and wire fraud, 20 years for money laundering, 10 years for access device fraud, and a mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft.
As part of their operation, the defendants allegedly altered taxpayers’ addresses to those controlled by co-conspirators, ensuring IRS communications were diverted away from the real individuals. They laundered stolen funds by purchasing money orders from U.S. post offices and local stores in amounts below reporting thresholds. These funds were then deposited into prepaid debit cards and used to buy used cars from auction sites, some of which were shipped to Nigeria, along with designer clothing and other luxury goods.
Eletu was arrested in the United Kingdom at the request of U.S. authorities, highlighting the international reach of the investigation. The case underscores the growing sophistication of transnational financial crimes and the U.S. government’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable, regardless of their location. This high-profile prosecution may serve as a warning to others involved in similar schemes, especially those operating across borders.
Leave a Comment