A 35-year-old Nigerian, Olamide Shanu, has pleaded guilty in the United States to conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with international sextortion and romance fraud schemes that targeted about 150 Americans.
The U.S. Department of Justice said Shanu, who was extradited to the United States, made more than $2.5 million from the schemes, which caused millions of dollars in losses to victims.
According to court documents, Shanu and his co-conspirators targeted male victims in sextortion schemes by persuading them to send intimate images before threatening to share the material with their friends and relatives unless they paid money.
The group also allegedly operated romance scams using fake identities on social media. Prosecutors said they typically targeted older men and women, established deceptive romantic relationships with them and later requested money, citing various urgent financial needs.
The proceeds were allegedly moved through peer-to-peer payment platforms and cryptocurrency wallets before being transferred to co-conspirators in Nigeria.
Shanu pleaded guilty in the District of Idaho and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 15, 2026. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, although the eventual sentence will be determined by the federal court after considering applicable sentencing guidelines and other factors.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Boise Police Department.
U.S. authorities said the prosecution forms part of ongoing efforts to disrupt international cyber-enabled fraud networks and hold those involved accountable, regardless of where they operate.
