Six Indicted in International Scheme to Defraud Qatari School Founder and then Launder over $1 Million in Illicit Proceeds | USAO-CDCA

LOS ANGELES – A federal court indictment unsealed this week alleges an elaborate plot to steal more than $ 1.1 million from a businessman trying to fund the construction of a school for children in Qatar – and the subsequent laundering of illicit revenue through bank accounts around the world.

The indictment on three counts returned on 29 gross identity theft.

The criminal complaint that started the indictment in February was also unsealed on Monday, revealing that Ramon Olorunwa Abbas – also known by his social media name of “Ray Hushpuppi” – was initially charged in the case. Court documents unsealed today show Abbas, a 37-year-old Nigerian national, pleaded guilty on April 20 and business email compromise plans that resulted in cumulative losses of more than $ 24 million.

“The defendants allegedly faked funding a Qatari school by playing the role of bank clerk and creating a fake website that also bribed a foreign official to maintain the intricate pretext after the victim received a lead,” said Acting United States Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison. “Mr. Abbas, who played a significant role in the plan, financed his luxurious lifestyle by laundering illicit revenue generated by scammers using increasingly sophisticated means. Working with our law enforcement partners, we become the perpetrators of business e- Identify and prosecute mail compromise scams, a massive and growing international crime problem. “

“Mr. Abbas, one of the world’s most prominent money launderers, has recognized his significant role in the commission of the global BEC fraud, a scheme currently plaguing Americans,” said Kristi K. Johnson, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “His celebrity status and ability to make connections seeped into legitimate organizations and resulted in several spin-off programs in the US and abroad. Today’s announcement deals a decisive blow to this international network and hopefully serves as a warning to prospective customers Victims of this type of theft. “

According to the indictment, Abbas allegedly conspired with Abdulrahman Imraan Juma, aka “Abdul,” 28, from Kenya, and Kelly Chibuzo Vincent, 40, from Nigeria to defraud the Qatari businessman by claiming to be an adviser and banker, which could provide a loan to finance the construction of the planned school. Juma is said to have acted as an intermediary and advisor for the illusory bank loans, while Abbas, according to court records, played the role of “Malik”, a Wells Fargo banker in New York. Vincent, in turn, allegedly supported the false narratives fed to the victim by, among other things, creating fake documents and arranging for the creation of a fake bank website and telephone bank account.

Yusuf Adekinka Anifowoshe, aka “AJ”, 26, from Brooklyn, New York, allegedly played a role in the scam and helped Abbas call the victim posing as “Malik”. FBI special agents arrested Anifowoshe on July 22nd in New York.

The conspirators allegedly cheated on the victim by more than $ 1.1 million

The proceeds of the fraud were allegedly laundered in various ways. According to the indictment, Abbas was caught by Rukayat Motunraya Fashola, aka “Morayo,” 28, of Valley Stream, New York, and Bolatito Tawakalitu Agbabiaka, aka “Bolamide,” 34, of Linden, New York, washing the proceeds from the fraud supports Jersey. These two defendants were also arrested by FBI agents on July 22nd.

Approximately $ 230,000 of the stolen money was reportedly used to purchase a Richard Mille RM11-03 watch, which was hand-delivered to Abbas in Dubai and subsequently featured on Hushpuppi’s social media posts. Other illegal proceeds from the program have allegedly been turned into cashier’s checks, including $ 50,000 checks used by Abbas and a co-conspirator to fraudulently acquire citizenship of St. Christopher and Nevis, as well as a passport for Abbas, by creating a fake marriage certificate and then bribing a government official in St. Kitts.

Court documents describe a dispute between members of the conspiracy that allegedly led Vincent to contact the victim claiming Abbas and Juma were involved in fraud. Following this contact, Abbas allegedly arranged for Vincent to be detained in Nigeria by Abba Alhaji Kyari, 46, from Nigeria. According to the affidavit, Kyari is a highly decorated deputy commissioner of the Nigerian Police, who is said to have ordered the arrest and detention of Vincent at Abbas’s orders and to have sent photos of Vincent to Abbas after his arrest. Kyari also reportedly sent Abbas bank account details for an account that Abbas could use to deposit payments for Vincent’s arrest and detention.

Anifowoshe, Fashola and Agbabiaka were arrested in New York and New Jersey on July 22nd and are due to be tried in Los Angeles in August. All three are currently free to borrow.

A criminal complaint and indictment contain allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond any doubt.

Both of the conspiracy charges alleged in the indictment carry a maximum legal sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Serious identity theft carries a two-year prison sentence.

The FBI is investigating this as part of Operation Top Dog. The FBI thanks the United Arab Emirates Government and the Dubai Police Department for their extensive assistance in this matter. The FBI also thanks the Kenyan Attorney General, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for their extensive assistance.

This case is being prosecuted by U.S. Assistant Attorney Khaldoun Shobaki from the Cyber ​​and Intellectual Property Crime Division. The Department for International Affairs of the Criminal Police Department provided essential assistance.