Nigerian Extradited from UK, Sentenced in U.S. for Online Scams

Ridwan Adeleke Adepoju, a Nigerian national, has been sentenced to 43 months in a U.S. federal prison for orchestrating a series of cyber fraud schemes that defrauded American citizens and businesses.

According to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice on Sunday, Adepoju and his co-conspirators operated various scams from Nigeria, including phishing attacks, romance scams, and the submission of fraudulent tax returns. These schemes utilized spoofed emails, fake social media profiles, and unsuspecting individuals acting as money mules to channel proceeds from the fraud.

“A foreign national has been sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison for conducting a variety of cyber fraud schemes that victimised U.S. citizens and businesses,” the statement read.

Adepoju, 33, who was based in Lagos, Nigeria, had relocated to the United Kingdom before his arrest in 2024. He was later extradited to the United States to face prosecution. In March 2025, he pleaded guilty to charges of federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

The Justice Department noted that several victims of the scams were located in the Chicago area.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly presided over the case and handed down the 43-month sentence. The conviction highlights the U.S. government’s continued efforts to track and prosecute international cybercriminals, regardless of where their schemes originate.

Authorities emphasized the need for vigilance and international cooperation in the fight against cybercrime, which remains a growing threat to personal and corporate security worldwide.