CHICAGO — A 33-year-old Nigerian national has been sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison after admitting to running sophisticated online scams that targeted American citizens and businesses — including individuals in the Chicago area.
Ridwan Adeleke Adepoju was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly to 43 months in prison for his role in a multi-year cyber fraud operation that included phishing schemes, romance scams, and attempted tax fraud.
The schemes, which ran between 2017 and 2019, were conducted from Nigeria and relied on spoofed emails, fake social media identities, and unwitting “money mules” to move stolen funds and personal data.
Widespread Victims and Online Deceit
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, Adepoju and co-conspirators launched attacks that included:
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Phishing for W-2 tax forms
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Romance scams targeting vulnerable people online
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Filing fraudulent tax returns with stolen identities
The fraud ring used convincing emails and social engineering to gain access to personal and financial records, some of which were later used in attempted federal tax fraud filings.
“Defendant chose to be a willing participant in the scheme over and over again,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann Marie Ursini, citing the “complex and sustained” nature of Adepoju’s actions.
Although actual financial losses were estimated between $40,000 and $95,000, federal prosecutors noted that the potential harm of the schemes was far greater — including one case involving a $46,800 fraudulent wire transfer and multiple attempted tax filings.
Defense Cited Upbringing and Reform
Adepoju’s legal team, led by Attorney Joshua G. Herman, argued for a lighter sentence of 30 months, highlighting the defendant’s challenging childhood in Nigeria and his voluntary exit from criminal activity in 2019.
Defense filings described Adepoju’s sacrifice following his father’s death, stating he gave up educational opportunities to support his family. Letters submitted by his wife, Mary Oladipupo, and others described him as a reformed man, working toward a career in photography and self-improvement before his arrest.
Nonetheless, the judge upheld a tougher sentence, citing the scale and intentionality of the crimes.
Arrest and Extradition
Adepoju was arrested in October 2023 while passing through Newcastle International Airport in the United Kingdom. He was later extradited to the United States in August 2024 and has remained in custody since then.
Upon serving his sentence, he may face deportation to Nigeria, which could result in additional detention time during immigration proceedings.
What’s Your Take on Cyber Crime and International Justice?
Should U.S. law enforcement do more to crack down on foreign-based cybercrime? Have you or someone you know ever received a phishing scam or fake tax email? Join the conversation now at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
