U.S. authorities have charged two UK‑based Nigerian nationals over an alleged large‑scale tax fraud scheme designed to siphon more than $100 million from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) using stolen identities.
According to indictments unsealed in the Northern District of Georgia and the Western District of Texas, Akinade Adedeji Raheem (43), based in Atlanta, and Abayomi Quadri Eletu (42), resident in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria, are accused of orchestrating a multi‑year conspiracy involving mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft.
Prosecutors allege that between 2018 and 2023, the defendants, alongside other co‑conspirators allegedly filed over 300 fraudulent tax returns, claiming refunds exceeding $100 million by impersonating legitimate taxpayers and tax professionals.
Court document reveals that sensitive taxpayer data, including names, addresses, and Social Security numbers—was allegedly obtained by creating fraudulent IRS accounts.
Mailing addresses were altered or redirected via the U.S. Postal Service to intercept IRS correspondence.
Fraudulent returns were submitted electronically, with refunds disbursed across multiple prepaid debit cards.
Defendants allegedly impersonated taxpayers to bypass IRS verification safeguards.
Investigators claim that Eletu directed Raheem and others to procure prepaid debit cards to receive refunds. Funds were allegedly laundered through structured transactions, including money orders designed to avoid reporting thresholds. Proceeds were used to purchase vehicles from U.S. auction platforms (some shipped to Nigeria), luxury clothing, and other high‑value goods.
Eletu was arrested in the United Kingdom following a U.S. request. Both defendants face conspiracy charges for wire and mail fraud, and money laundering.
Eletu faces additional counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Raheem faces multiple counts of access device fraud and identity theft.
If convicted, the defendants could face up to 20 years imprisonment for each fraud and money laundering charge, up to 10 years for access device fraud and a mandatory two‑year sentence for aggravated identity theft.
The case, investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, with support from UK authorities, underscores the growing international cooperation in tackling cross‑border financial crimes.
U.S. prosecutors emphasized that the charges remain allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
