CHICAGO — A Nigerian man has been sentenced to three and a half years in a U.S. federal prison for orchestrating a series of cyber scams that targeted residents and businesses in the Chicago area, including phishing operations and fraudulent tax returns.
Fraud Ring Spanned Countries and Platforms
The defendant, Ridwan Adeleke Adepoju, 33, was extradited from the United Kingdom and pleaded guilty in March to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors said his scams included romance frauds, phishing attacks, and false tax filings, using fake identities and spoofed emails to steal sensitive information and money.
Adepoju ran an international network that manipulated victims through social media and email. Some of the schemes involved money mules who unknowingly helped him move stolen funds.
Victims Included Chicago Residents and Businesses
Federal officials emphasized that the crimes hit close to home. Victims in the Chicago area were among those defrauded by Adepoju’s digital deception. His operation exploited trust by impersonating real people and companies, and lured victims into revealing financial and personal data.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Marie Ursini noted in court that Adepoju “chose to be a willing participant in the scheme over and over again,” demonstrating intentional and repeated abuse of U.S. systems.
Sentencing Delivers Message on Cybercrime
U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly handed down the 43-month sentence on Tuesday. The case was brought forward by U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros, IRS Criminal Investigation’s Ramsey E. Covington, and FBI Special Agent Douglas S. DePodesta.
Authorities said the case reflects a broader commitment to pursuing transnational cybercrime, particularly when American citizens and businesses are targeted.
“Despite the geographical distances, justice has secured an anchor in these transnational cases,” federal officials stated in a press release, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the investigation.
Has your family or workplace been affected by online scams or identity fraud in the Chicago area? Share your experiences in the comments at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com — your voice may help protect others in our community.
