Crime
US Court Sentences Three Nigerians For Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Targeting Elderly
Three Nigerian nationals have been sentenced for their involvement in an extensive fraud operation that targeted elderly U.S. residents, authorities confirmed.
The scheme, which spanned from 2017 to 2022, resulted in over $2 million in stolen funds, much of which came from vulnerable victims who were deceived through fake online relationships.
Fatai Okunola, 38, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, received a prison sentence of over 10 years for his role in the conspiracy.
READ MORE: EFCC Fires 27 Officers Over Fraud, Misconduct
He was sentenced to five years for making false statements during naturalization and an additional 10 years for money laundering, with both sentences to run concurrently.
Okunola was also ordered to pay restitution of more than $730,000 to the victims of the fraud scheme.
Two Dallas residents, Oluwaseyi Adeola, 34, and Ijeoma Adeola, 36, were also sentenced in connection with the operation.
Oluwaseyi was handed a nearly three-year prison term and ordered to pay about $410,000 in restitution. Ijeoma, on the other hand, received three years of probation for misprision of a felony and was ordered to pay nearly $49,000 in restitution.
The defendants, in collaboration with accomplices in Nigeria, created fake personas to form relationships with U.S. victims over the internet, social media, text, or phone.
They then solicited money from their victims, instructing them to send funds to various bank accounts opened under fake identities and shell companies operated by the defendants.
The stolen money was then transferred among the conspirators and sent to their partners in Nigeria.
In addition to the fraud, Okunola used some of the stolen funds to assist individuals in purchasing and shipping cars to Nigeria.
U.S. Attorney Mark Totten addressed the impact of the fraud, stating, “Financial fraud is not a ‘faceless’ crime — and today’s sentencings help secure a measure of justice for the victims of this international fraud scheme.”
He further remarked, “Some victims lost their retirement savings, took loans against their homes, or suffered other financial distress because of the defendants’ lies.”
The fraudulent operation exploited the trust of elderly victims, leaving many financially devastated, with some losing their life savings in the process.
Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of three kidnapped victims in Taraba State following sustained pressure mounted by its rescue teams.
The victims were identified as Otuwe Torhumba, 37; Kenneth Nyiutse, 35; and Michael Emmanuel, 27.
The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded across the country on October 2.
ALSO READ: 2027: Ogun Police Begins Early Election Security Preparations, Warns Against Political Violence
According to the Police, “Due to sustained pressure by Police rescue teams, three of five kidnapped victims — Otuwe Torhumba (37), Kenneth Nyiutse (35) and Michael Emmanuel (27) — were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.”
The Police said the three victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their families.
The Force did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the abduction or the whereabouts of the remaining two victims in the operational summary.
The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jalingo.
The rescue was among several operational successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force during the reporting period.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of an 86-year-old man and his son after they were allegedly detained by suspected members of the Axe Men confraternity in Cross River State.
The victims, identified as Dominic Columbus Udoh, 86, and his son, Emmanuel Columbus Udoh, 40, were rescued by Police operatives on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across the country.
SEE ALSO: Benue: Police Repel Bandit Ambush, Recover Locally Fabricated Gun
According to the Force, Police operatives were mobilised to the scene after receiving information that suspected Axe Men confraternity cultists had unlawfully detained the two men.
The Police said the suspected cultists fled from the scene when operatives arrived.
The Force stated that officers, with assistance from neighbours, “forced open the locked apartment,” where the two victims were found.
According to the Police, both victims had sustained facial and chest injuries.
They were subsequently rescued and conveyed to the Police Hospital for medical treatment.
The Police said the incident is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Calabar.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) repelled an ambush by suspected bandits along the Amaafu-Abaji Road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a routine patrol by the security personnel along the road.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across different states.
SEE MORE: 2027: Ogun Police Begins Early Election Security Preparations, Warns Against Political Violence
According to the Police, “Personnel of Operation Zenda JTF on routine patrol along Amaafu-Abaji Road successfully repelled an ambush by bandits, neutralizing one suspect and recovering his locally fabricated gun.”
The Police added that other members of the group fled into the surrounding bushes following the encounter.
It further stated that “No Police casualty was recorded” during the operation.
The recovered firearm was subsequently taken as part of the evidence from the operation as investigations continue.
The Police said the case has been placed under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi.
The Police Force continues to urge members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and useful information that can assist ongoing operations against criminal elements.
Musa Francis, Akanbi Aderonke win 2026 Abeokuta 10km Race
Police Report Nationwide Operations, Rescue Kidnap Victims, Recover Weapons in 5 States
Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
Police Rescue 86-Year-Old Man, Son From Suspected Cultists in C’Rivers
Benue: Police Repel Bandit Ambush, Recover Locally Fabricated Gun
Fuel Subsidy: Atiku Showing Symptoms of Desperation — Afegbua
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
