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 $100 million tax refund fraud scheme involving stolen identities.
Raheem appeared in court on Monday and was remanded in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending further proceedings.
The US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia disclosed the development in a statement published on its official website on Tuesday.
According to prosecutors, Raheem allegedly conspired with accomplices to file more than 300 fraudulent tax returns between 2018 and 2023, seeking over $100 million in refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Investigators alleged that the group used stolen identities belonging to American taxpayers and tax professionals to submit fraudulent claims and obtain refunds from the US tax agency.
The proceeds were allegedly laundered through prepaid debit cards, money orders and purchases of used vehicles, some of which were shipped to Nigeria and other locations.
US Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said the alleged scheme involved hundreds of stolen identities and praised law enforcement agencies for their role in securing Raheem’s extradition.
Prosecutors also identified Abayomi Quadri Eletu, who reportedly resides in the United Kingdom and Nigeria, as an alleged co-conspirator.
According to the indictment, Raheem, Eletu and other suspected accomplices allegedly obtained sensitive taxpayer information, including names, addresses and Social Security numbers, by creating online accounts with the IRS and requesting private tax records.
They allegedly used the information to file fraudulent tax returns and directed the IRS to send refunds through prepaid debit cards delivered to addresses under the group’s control.
Investigators further alleged that Raheem and Eletu purchased money orders in amounts intended to avoid applicable reporting thresholds. The money orders were then allegedly used to acquire used vehicles through online auction platforms, as well as designer clothing and other goods.
Some of the vehicles were reportedly shipped to Nigeria.
The Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Texas Field Office, Christopher J. Altemus Jr., said the alleged operation affected hundreds of taxpayers and caused losses to the US Treasury.
He said the agency was working with international law enforcement partners to pursue individuals suspected of financial crimes and recover stolen funds.
Similarly, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Colello said the investigation reflected the commitment of US authorities to investigating and prosecuting alleged tax fraud and identity theft.
The US Attorney’s Office also detailed efforts to locate Raheem before his arrest.
According to the statement, federal agents attempted to arrest him at his residence in April 2026 but spoke to a man through a video doorbell who identified himself as Raheem and claimed he was not at home.
Investigators reportedly discovered less than a week later that Raheem had booked a flight from Mexico City to the Republic of Benin.
He arrived in Benin on April 15, 2026, and was arrested by local authorities following an INTERPOL Red Notice.
Benin subsequently extradited him to the United States last week. The US Attorney’s Office described the transfer as only the second extradition from Benin to the United States in history.
A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Georgia indicted Raheem on February 24, 2026, on charges including conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, 14 counts of access device fraud and 14 counts of aggravated identity theft.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, another 20 years for conspiracy to commit money laundering and up to 10 years for access device fraud. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence.
Meanwhile, Eletu was indicted in the Western District of Texas on February 17, 2026. He was subsequently arrested in the United Kingdom, where extradition proceedings are ongoing.
The investigation is being conducted by the IRS Criminal Investigation division and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, with support from American and international law enforcement agencies.
The US Attorney’s Office stressed that the charges against Raheem and other defendants remain allegations. They are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.