The Brief Nigerian citizen Akinade Adedeji Raheem was extradited from Benin to Atlanta to face federal charges in a $100 million stolen identity tax scheme. Investigators say Raheem and co-conspirators filed over 300 false tax returns and laundered the proceeds through prepaid debit cards, money orders, and used cars. Raheem fled to Benin after agents attempted to arrest him in April, leading to his arrest via an INTERPOL Red Notice and historic extradition.



A Nigerian citizen was arraigned in Atlanta after being extradited from Benin to face federal charges for his alleged role in a $100 million stolen identity tax fraud scheme.

What we know:

Federal authorities arraigned 43-year-old Nigerian citizen Akinade Adedeji Raheem yesterday in Atlanta following his extradition from Benin.

An indictment returned by a federal grand jury in the Northern District of Georgia on Feb. 24 charges Raheem with one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, 14 counts of access device fraud, and 14 counts of aggravated identity theft.

Raheem was ordered detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Between 2018 and 2023, Raheem lived in Atlanta and conspired with Abayomi Quadri Eletu, a resident of the United Kingdom and Nigeria, alongside others.

Prosecutors say the group created online accounts with the IRS to steal sensitive identifying information-including names, addresses, and Social Security numbers-from tax professionals and taxpayers.

They allegedly filed more than 300 fraudulent tax returns seeking over $100 million in refunds.

 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 scope of the alleged fraud is staggering. 

What we don't know:

Officials have not yet confirmed the exact date for Raheem's next court appearance or trial.

It remains unknown how many
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