BOSTON, MA — A Nigerian charged with money laundering in connection with a series of romance scams, fraudulent sweepstakes schemes, false rental listings and sham online shipping transactions was nabbed at Boston Logan International Airport, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Adetunji Abudu, 34, was arrested Monday night after he arrived at Boston from Istanbul, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a media release.
Abudu, a resident of Lagos, is one of six indicted by a federal grand jury in Providence and charged with laundering millions of dollars obtained through a series of schemes operated from Nigeria that primarily targeted elderly Americans, according to the release.
Abudu and his accomplices perpetrated "online romance scams, fraudulent sweepstakes schemes, false rental listings, and sham online shipping transactions," the release said.
"Funds collected from victims were allegedly funneled through bank accounts and businesses in Rhode Island, Idaho, and elsewhere, with significant proceeds ultimately sent to Nigeria," according to the release. "Members of the conspiracy also allegedly purchased vehicles with illicit proceeds that were shipped overseas."
Abudu fled to Nigeria in 2019 "after the FBI executed a court authorized search of his residence in North Providence," the release said.
Abudu's five co-defendants — Dotun Olawale Alonge, Oluwaseyi Akintol, Samson Ikotun, Olabode Shaba and Oladipup Shodipu — have already pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and were sentenced to between time served and three and a half years behind bars, according to the release.
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