Nigerian Socialite Arrested in U.S. for COVID-19 Insurance Fraud, Identity Theft

Femi Quadri, a 43-year-old Nigerian socialite, was arrested on September 20 in the United States for allegedly committing extensive identity theft and fraud against American citizens in connection with COVID-19 and disability benefits. His arrest occurred just hours before he was set to board a one-way flight to Dubai, where authorities believed he intended to evade prosecution.

A criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California outlined the details of Quadri’s alleged scheme, which involved the theft of personal identifying information (PII), including Social Security Numbers (SSNs), of approximately 91 American citizens between 2020 and 2024. According to the complaint, Quadri fraudulently applied for disability, unemployment, and COVID-19 benefits using these stolen identities.

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) issued debit cards to eligible unemployed and disabled individuals, which Quadri allegedly exploited by applying for benefits in their names. He falsified medical certifications using the identities of real doctors whose information he had also stolen.

The investigation revealed that Quadri successfully withdrew over $200,000 from 19 disabled Americans’ accounts. EDD Investigator Ivant Romo noted a suspicious pattern in the claims, with multiple claimants sharing similar occupations and characteristics. Furthermore, he discovered that Quadri had filed 72 unemployment insurance claims, scamming the government of nearly $881,192.

Surveillance footage from Bank of America confirmed that Quadri used EDD debit cards to withdraw cash from multiple accounts, with the images of the individuals on the cards not matching his own. Evidence gathered from his social media accounts linked him directly to the withdrawals.

One of the victims, Michelle Davey, reported that Quadri had received $7,366 in benefits using her name, despite her never applying for such insurance. Similarly, another victim, Douglas Cost, stated that Quadri withdrew $19,500 using his identity without consent.

Authorities identified Roland Iwhiwhu Otega as Quadri’s co-conspirator, but he fled to Nigeria shortly after investigators searched his apartment in August 2023. Incriminating materials linked to identity theft were discovered at Otega’s residence.

Additionally, bank records indicated that Quadri had wired over $500,000 to various companies in China, raising further suspicions about the scope of his fraudulent activities.

As a permanent resident alien, Quadri faces the possibility of deportation if convicted, especially given the seriousness of the charges, which include aggravated identity theft and bank and wire fraud. Since he has no family in the U.S. and owns property in Nigeria, authorities are concerned about his potential to flee.

Quadri is currently in custody of the U.S. Marshal Service and is scheduled to be arraigned before Judge Jean P. Rosenbluth on October 29. If found guilty, he could face severe penalties, including the loss of his immigration status due to the nature of the crime exceeding $10,000, classifying it as an aggravated felony.