Another Nigerian National Arrested in U.S. for COVID-19 Benefits Fraud

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has arrested Funke Iyanda, a Nigerian national residing in Pittsburgh, for allegedly defrauding the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry of nearly $41,000 in COVID-19 unemployment benefits.

Iyanda, 43, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on one count of theft of government property after submitting fraudulent documents to obtain Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Iyanda, who holds no legal status in the United States, used another person’s identity to file a false application for the federal relief funds during the height of the pandemic.

Investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security revealed that between May 27, 2020, and May 24, 2021, Iyanda wrongfully obtained approximately $40,980 in PUA benefits. Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti confirmed the charges, naming Iyanda as the sole defendant in the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Melucci is prosecuting the matter. If convicted, Iyanda faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. She also risks deportation to Nigeria following the completion of her sentence.