FBI Finally Nabs $6M Cyber Fraud Kingpin Who Fled Nigeria for Ghana

By Achimi Muktar

In a dramatic turn of events, Abiola Kayode, one of the FBI’s most-wanted cybercriminals, has been extradited to the United States after years on the run. Kayode, 37, is accused of masterminding a $6 million business email compromise (BEC) scheme that defrauded U.S. companies and exploited vulnerable individuals in romance scams.

Kayode was flown to Nebraska, where he faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, following his arrest in Ghana earlier this year. U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr confirmed that the indictment against Kayode dates back to August 2019, and his initial court appearance took place on December 11, 2024.

The $6 Million Fraud Operation

Between January 2015 and September 2016, Kayode allegedly led a network of co-conspirators who impersonated high-level executives at targeted companies. Using fake email accounts, the group tricked employees into wiring large sums of money to accounts controlled by Kayode and others.

Court documents reveal that Kayode was responsible for supplying fraudulent bank account details to his collaborators. Shockingly, many of these accounts were linked to victims of romance scams, who had unknowingly become pawns in the elaborate fraud.

A Global Hunt Ends in Ghana

In April 2023, Ghanaian authorities arrested Kayode at the request of the United States. His extradition highlights the extensive cooperation between the FBI and Ghanaian law enforcement agencies, including the Office of the Attorney General, the Ghana Police Service, and INTERPOL.

Eugene Kowel, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Omaha Division, lauded the international effort:

“Dismantling cybercriminal groups that victimize U.S. citizens is a priority for the FBI, DOJ, and our international partners. Today, Kayode’s extradition sends a clear message: We are coming for you.”

The Network Unravels

Kayode isn’t the first member of the fraud ring to face justice. Several of his co-conspirators have already been convicted and sentenced, including:

Adewale Aniyeloye: Sentenced to 96 months in prison and ordered to pay $1.57 million in restitution.

Pelumi Fawehinimi: Received 72 months in prison and was ordered to repay over $1 million.

Onome Ijomone: A romance scammer extradited from Poland and sentenced to 60 months in prison, with over $500,000 in restitution.

Alex Ogunshakin: Recently sentenced to 45 months after his extradition from Nigeria.

With Kayode in custody, the FBI remains determined to bring the remaining suspects to justice.

What’s Next for Kayode?

Kayode now awaits trial in Nebraska, where prosecutors aim to hold him accountable for his alleged role in one of the most notorious BEC schemes of recent years. If convicted, he could face significant prison time and financial restitution orders.

As this case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the FBI’s commitment to combating cybercrime and its relentless pursuit of justice across borders.