A Nigerian-born United States citizen, Oladapo Fadugba, risks 27 years imprisonment for alleged involvement in a $690,000 wire fraud scheme and making false declarations to obtain american citizenship.
A statement by the US Attorney for the District of Florida, Gregory Kehoe, said Fadugba was indicted on multiple charges, including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements during his naturalisation process.
According to Kehoe, between October 2020 and July 2023, the suspect allegedly diverted $690,000 in funds belonging to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, which was meant for reimbursement to a major local healthcare provider.
The attorney also alleged that Fadugba used another person’s identity to facilitate the transfers into various bank accounts under his control.
“According to the indictment, beginning on October 30, 2020, and ending no later than July 11, 2023, Fadugba had more than $690,000 of Department of Veterans Affairs funds, intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider, transferred to his personal bank accounts.
“Fadugba then wrote cheques to himself or to businesses associated with him, which were subsequently transferred to other bank accounts under his control. It is alleged that he used the identification of another individual to carry out these transfers,” the statement read.
In addition, Fadugba was accused of lying under oath during his US naturalisation proceedings by falsely stating that he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested.
“If convicted on all charges, Fadugba faces up to 27 years in federal prison. The indictment also includes a notice that the United States is seeking a forfeiture order of $400,000, which reflects the approximate proceeds of the criminal conduct charged,” the statement added.
Kehoe emphasised that “an indictment is merely a formal accusation of criminal conduct, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
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