A 34-year-old Nigerian man, Adetunji Abudu, is arrested in the United States after fleeing to Nigeria in 2019, facing allegations of fraud and a money-laundering conspiracy involving millions of dollars. The reports say he is taken into custody at Logan International Airport in Boston while attempting to re-enter the country.
According to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island, the case involves online scams aimed at elderly Americans, with proceeds allegedly laundered through US bank accounts and businesses and then sent to Nigeria. The alleged schemes include romance scams, fake sweepstakes, fraudulent rental listings and sham shipping transactions, with funds routed through accounts in Rhode Island, Idaho and other states. Some proceeds are also alleged to be used to purchase vehicles shipped overseas.
One outlet additionally notes that Abudu was arrested after being sought following an FBI search of his North Providence residence in 2019, and that other named defendants have pleaded guilty and received sentences ranging from time served to 42 months. Across coverage, outlets also stress that an indictment is only an accusation and that Abudu is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
