Abiola Kayode, a 37-year-old Nigerian who had been on the FBI’s Most Wanted Cyber Criminal List, has been extradited from Ghana to Nebraska, United States, to face charges related to a multimillion-dollar business email compromise (BEC) scheme. This marks a significant step in ongoing efforts to dismantle cybercriminal networks targeting U.S. citizens and businesses.
Kayode, who was indicted in August 2019 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, was arrested by Ghanaian authorities in April 2023 following a formal extradition request from the U.S. He was handed over to FBI special agents and transported to Nebraska, where he appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson on December 11, 2024. Judge Nelson ordered Kayode’s detention pending trial.
The charges against Kayode stem from his alleged involvement in a sophisticated BEC scheme between January 2015 and September 2016, which defrauded businesses in Nebraska and other states of over $6 million. The scheme involved impersonating business executives through deceptive emails to trick employees into authorizing large wire transfers.
Authorities allege that Kayode provided bank account details used to funnel stolen funds, many of which were linked to victims of internet romance scams. These unwitting victims were manipulated into further transferring the stolen money, complicating efforts to trace the funds.
Several of Kayode’s alleged co-conspirators have already been brought to justice.
- In February 2019, Adewale Aniyeloye was sentenced to 96 months in prison and ordered to pay $1.57 million in restitution.
- In March 2019, Pelumi Fawehinimi received a 72-month prison sentence and was ordered to pay $1.01 million.
- Onome Ijomone, extradited from Poland, was sentenced in January 2020 to 60 months in prison with restitution of $508,934.
- Most recently, in October 2024, Alex Ogunshakin, who provided bank accounts for the scheme, was sentenced to 45 months in prison after his extradition from Nigeria.
FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel underscored the agency’s commitment to combating cybercrime, stating, “Today, Abiola Kayode is the second of those co-conspirators to be extradited to stand trial in Nebraska. Our message to the remaining four co-conspirators: we are coming for you. Dismantling cyber-criminal groups that victimize U.S. citizens is a priority for the FBI, DOJ, and our international law enforcement partners.”
The extradition highlights the collaboration between the FBI and international law enforcement agencies, including Ghana’s Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, Ghana Police Service – INTERPOL, and Ghana Immigration Service. This partnership reinforces ongoing efforts to track, apprehend, and prosecute individuals engaged in BEC and other fraudulent schemes targeting victims worldwide.
Kayode’s trial will further shed light on the extent of the fraudulent activities and the global network of cybercrime that continues to threaten businesses and individuals.
