Extradition follows alleged use of stolen taxpayer information
A 43-year-old Nigerian man has been brought to the United States to face federal charges in an alleged tax-refund fraud and identity-theft scheme that prosecutors say sought more than $100 million from the Internal Revenue Service.
Akinade Adedeji Raheem was extradited from the Republic of Benin and arraigned on Monday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia. He was placed in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service while the case proceeds. The charges remain allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Prosecutors allege that Raheem worked with others to submit more than 300 fraudulent tax returns from 2018 through 2023. The alleged operation used identities belonging to tax professionals and American taxpayers in an effort to obtain refunds that were not owed.
“Raheem and his co-conspirators allegedly obtained hundreds of stolen identities, filed fraudulent tax returns using that information, and laundered the proceeds through prepaid debit cards and purchases of used cars that were shipped to Nigeria and other locations,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said.
The alleged scheme began with access to sensitive personal information. According to prosecutors, Raheem, Abayomi Quadri Eletu and other alleged accomplices created online accounts with the IRS and requested private taxpayer information. The information allegedly included names, addresses and Social Security numbers.
How prosecutors describe the alleged operation
Once the information was obtained, the group allegedly used it to prepare and submit tax returns seeking large refunds. Prosecutors say the alleged participants directed the IRS to send the money through prepaid debit cards to addresses controlled by members of the group.
| Detail | What prosecutors allege |
|---|---|
| Period | 2018 through 2023 |
| Returns | More than 300 fraudulent filings |
| Refunds sought | More than $100 million |
| Information used | Names, addresses and Social Security numbers |
Prosecutors also allege that proceeds were moved through prepaid debit cards, money orders and purchases of used vehicles. Some of the vehicles were allegedly shipped to Nigeria and other locations.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office identified Eletu, who is described as a resident of the United Kingdom and Nigeria, as another alleged conspirator. The investigation involves law-enforcement partners in multiple countries, according to Hertzberg’s statement.
- Raheem was extradited from Benin and arraigned in the United States.
- The alleged conduct involved stolen identities and fraudulent IRS refund claims.
- The case concerns alleged activity between 2018 and 2023; further court proceedings are pending.
Hertzberg said the extradition followed work by prosecutors and international law-enforcement agencies. The case now moves forward in federal court, where prosecutors will have to prove the allegations against Raheem beyond a reasonable doubt.
