Nigerian National Oluseun Omole Pleads Guilty to $12 Million Fraud Scheme Targeting US Citizens

The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, has announced that Nigerian national Oluseun Omole, residing in Texas, has pleaded guilty to charges related to a massive fraud scheme that targeted US citizens. Omole’s guilty plea comes as part of an ongoing investigation into an online scam that defrauded Americans out of more than $12 million.

According to a statement released by the US Attorney’s Office, Omole was involved in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud, carrying a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The scheme involved a range of scams, including consumer electronics fraud, romance scams, and employment fraud, all perpetrated by a group known as the “Enterprise,” based in Nigeria.

Williams explained that the “Enterprise” sent electronic communications to unsuspecting victims, pretending to be interested in buying consumer electronics or establishing romantic relationships. In the consumer electronics scam, victims were led to believe they were sending goods to genuine buyers, while in the romance scam, victims believed they were sending items to romantic partners. In reality, these goods were directed to Omole, who repackaged them and sent them to his accomplices in Nigeria.

The employment scam involved posting fake job opportunities online and then requesting electronics like smartphones, smartwatches, laptops, and tablets as part of the application process. Omole used a business corporation, Tobylink Impressions, to facilitate the receipt and redistribution of these goods.

“Over the course of approximately five years, Oluseun Martins Omole received more than $12 million worth of fraudulently obtained consumer electronics and other items,” said Williams. Omole operated Tobylink Impressions as a front, repackaging the electronics and shipping them to his co-conspirators overseas. These activities occurred from February 2018 to March 2023.

Omole’s guilty plea was entered before US Magistrate Judge Katharine Parker, with his sentencing scheduled for July 30, 2024, by US District Judge Jesse Furman. Omole has agreed to a restitution payment to be determined by the court, as well as the forfeiture of various consumer electronics and other seized goods.

Williams emphasized that those who participate in fraud schemes, like Omole, will face severe penalties, including prison time, and urged the public to remain vigilant against such scams.