A 43-year-old Nigerian, Akinade Adedeji Raheem, has been extradited from the Republic of Benin to the United States to face federal charges over an alleged tax refund fraud scheme involving more than $100 million.
According to the US Department of Justice, Raheem was arraigned on Monday, October 26, following his extradition and has been detained in the custody of the US Marshals Service pending further court proceedings.
Prosecutors allege that between 2018 and 2023, Raheem worked with Abayomi Quadri Eletu and others to file more than 300 fraudulent tax returns using stolen identities belonging to American taxpayers and tax professionals.
The alleged scheme involved obtaining personal information, including names, addresses and Social Security numbers, and using the details to claim fraudulent refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Investigators said the proceeds were allegedly channelled through prepaid debit cards, money orders and purchases of used vehicles, some of which were shipped to Nigeria.
Raheem was indicted in February 2026 on charges including conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, money laundering, access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.
If convicted, he faces substantial prison sentences under US law. His co-defendant, Eletu, was arrested in the United Kingdom, where extradition proceedings remain pending.
The case highlights international cooperation in investigating financial crimes involving multiple jurisdictions. However, the charges remain allegations, and Raheem is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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