Two Nigerian nationals, Akinade Adedeji Raheem and Abayomi Quadri Eletu, have been charged in the United States over an alleged large-scale tax fraud and identity theft scheme targeting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The charges were announced by the United States Department of Justice following the unsealing of indictments on April 15, 2026, in the Northern District of Georgia and the Western District of Texas.
According to prosecutors, the defendants conspired with others to file fraudulent tax returns using stolen identities of accountants and taxpayers, claiming refunds exceeding $100 million.
Investigators allege that between 2018 and 2023, the suspects obtained sensitive personal information—including names, addresses, and Social Security numbers—by creating fraudulent online accounts with the IRS and requesting confidential taxpayer data.
As part of the scheme, the co-conspirators reportedly altered taxpayers’ addresses to locations under their control, ensuring that official IRS correspondence was redirected to them. They also filed change-of-address requests with the U.S. Postal Service to intercept victims’ mail.
Using the stolen identities, the suspects allegedly filed over 300 false tax returns and directed that refunds be paid into prepaid debit cards controlled by members of the group.
Authorities said the suspects impersonated legitimate taxpayers to respond to IRS verification requests, thereby facilitating the release of the fraudulent refunds.
Eletu is further accused of coordinating the acquisition of prepaid debit cards and overseeing the laundering of proceeds. The funds were allegedly converted into money orders in amounts structured to avoid reporting thresholds and used to purchase items such as vehicles, designer clothing, and other goods. Some of the vehicles were reportedly shipped to Nigeria.
Abayomi Quadri Eletu was arrested in the United Kingdom at the request of U.S. authorities.
Both defendants face charges including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Additionally, Eletu faces multiple counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft, while Raheem is charged with several counts of access device fraud and identity theft.
If convicted, they face up to 20 years’ imprisonment for fraud and money laundering offences, up to 10 years for access device fraud, and a mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft.
The case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, with support from international partners, including the United Kingdom.
Prosecutors from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia are handling the case.