Four individuals have been charged in a revised legal document with conspiring to launder funds obtained through various fraudulent schemes. A federal grand jury in Puerto Rico returned the indictment, accusing Oluwasegun Baiyewu and four others of engaging in wire, mail, and access device fraud schemes. Baiyewu had previously been charged on October 21, 2021.
According to court records, Oluwaseun Adelekan, Temitope Omotayo, Ifeoluwa Dudubo, Temitope Suleiman, and Oluwasegun Baiyewu conspired to launder funds obtained through international fraud schemes. These schemes include romance, pandemic relief, unemployment insurance fraud, and business email compromise scams. The victims of these fraudulent activities were primarily elderly or otherwise vulnerable individuals.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, who leads the Justice Department’s Civil Division, stated, “Targeting seniors with fraud is abhorrent, and money laundering networks, such as the one alleged in this case, enable fraudsters to profit from their illegal schemes. The Department is committed to investigating and prosecuting those who victimize the elderly and other vulnerable community members.”
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico emphasized the Department’s dedication to collaborating with law enforcement partners in identifying and holding criminals accountable, especially those who exploit vulnerable victims. He stated, “We remain resolute in our determination to prosecute individuals who target seniors, who have been victimized for far too long by individuals who hide in the shadows and in foreign nations to commit their crimes.”
The FBI’s Executive Assistant Director Tim Langan of the Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch affirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting the American public from financial fraud schemes. He emphasized that the FBI will continue to hold accountable anyone who seeks to exploit vulnerable Americans, including the elderly.
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The revised indictment alleges that between 2020 and 2021, the defendants collaborated to profit from laundering funds obtained through scams involving victims, many of whom were older adults, in California, Illinois, Washington, and Nevada. They also engaged in business email compromise schemes targeting Puerto Rico and Missouri companies. After acquiring the illicit proceeds, the defendants or their co-conspirators conducted numerous transactions, including cashier’s checks and money orders, which were used to purchase used cars shipped to Nigeria.
Adelekan, Baiyewu, Dudubo, Omotayo, and Suleiman are facing conspiracy charges to commit money laundering. Each defendant could face a maximum prison sentence of 20 years if convicted. The sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and FBI San Juan Cyber Task Force are investigating with assistance from the National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force, which supports the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force teams.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Emily C. Powers and Brandon Robers from the Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Edwin G. Mercado for the District of Puerto Rico.
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Scammers everywhere