Crime

Nigerian Man Sentenced to Over Three Years in U.S. Prison for Chicago-Based Fraud Scheme

Ridwan Adepoju, a Nigerian national, has been sentenced to 43 months in prison by a federal judge in the United States for orchestrating an extensive fraud scheme that targeted American individuals and businesses, primarily in the Chicago area. The scheme, which was run from Nigeria, involved various types of scams including phishing, romance fraud, and the filing of fraudulent tax returns.

Adepoju, 33, was arrested in the United Kingdom last year at the request of U.S. authorities and subsequently extradited to the United States. He later pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to prosecutors, Adepoju and his co-conspirators created spoofed email accounts and fake social media profiles to impersonate legitimate entities, deceiving victims into transferring large sums of money. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) led the investigation, uncovering the intricate tactics used to defraud unsuspecting Americans over several years.

Judge Matthew Kennelly of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois handed down the sentence on June 17, 2025. Following the completion of his prison term, Adepoju may face deportation back to Nigeria.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Marie Ursini emphasized the scale and impact of the crimes in her sentencing memorandum, stating that Adepoju had been a “willing participant” in the scheme “over and over again,” highlighting the deliberate and prolonged nature of his involvement.