Man Cons Americans over Ksh 425.8M via 25 Bank Accounts in Online Dating Scam

• A Nigerian man was sentenced to almost seven years in prison for involving in a US money laundering scheme
• Nasiru Ojikitu was charged in a $3.4 million (KSh 425.8 million) scandal, in which he was accused of defrauding several Americans
• The court papers showed the man mainly targeted older people who sent him the money for years via 25 bank accounts

A Nigerian man has been convicted and sentenced to almost seven and a half years in prison dating scam.

A US Court found Nasiru Ojikitu guilty of defrauding Americans billions of shillings in the scandal.

The court heard that Okijutu, a permanent legal resident in the US, opened about 25 bank accounts in his name, a fake name, and a shell company name through which over $3.4 million (KSh 425.8 million) was fraudulently obtained and lodged.

US fraud syndicate involving Nigerians

The prosecutor disclosed that the Nigerian and nine others were indicted in a Chicago sting operation titled Operation Gold Phish that identified cybercriminals targeting older people.

Ojikutu was sentenced to 88 months in prison on Wednesday, February 8, after he was found guilty of the charges.

Media reports showed that Ojikutu fled to Canada, where the authorities arrested and turned him over to the US in January 2020.

He pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in July 2022.

According to the prosecutors, the scammers in the US and Nigeria targeted older citizens and gained their trust via an online dating scam before stealing their money.

The accused contacted the victims via social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and the dating app, Match.com.

Used fraud money for car sales

The principal suspect, Ojikutu, fraudulently received funds for personal benefits, including purchasing vehicles in the US and shipping them to Nigeria for sale, prosecutors said.

As a result of the suspect’s actions, some victims lost thousands of dollars.

Eight of the nine defendants pleaded guilty in the case. The alleged ringleader of the scam, Daniel Samuel Eta, also known as Captain and Etaoko of Skokie, pleaded not guilty, and the prosecutors said his trial is still pending.