A 43-year-old Nigerian, Akinade Raheem, has been extradited from the Republic of Benin to the United States to face charges over an alleged $100 million tax fraud scheme.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia disclosed the development in a statement on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Raheem was arraigned on Monday following his extradition and remanded in the custody of the US Marshals Service pending further proceedings.
American prosecutors alleged that he participated in a scheme involving stolen identities and fraudulent tax refund applications.
US prosecutors uncover alleged $100m fraud
Investigators alleged that Raheem conspired with Abayomi Eletu and other individuals between 2018 and 2023.
The group allegedly submitted more than 300 fraudulent tax returns, seeking over $100 million in refunds from the Internal Revenue Service.
US Attorney Theodore Hertzberg described the alleged operation as extensive.
“The scope of the alleged fraud is staggering,” Hertzberg said.
According to prosecutors, the suspects obtained personal information belonging to taxpayers and tax professionals.
The stolen information allegedly included names, addresses and Social Security numbers used to submit false tax returns.
Investigators said the suspects directed fraudulent refunds to prepaid debit cards.
Some proceeds were allegedly converted into money orders and used to purchase vehicles later shipped to Nigeria.
Nigerian suspect faces multiple charges
Authorities disclosed that Raheem fled to Benin after investigators attempted to arrest him in April 2026.
He was subsequently apprehended by local authorities following an INTERPOL Red Notice.
A federal grand jury had indicted him on February 24 on charges involving conspiracy to commit fraud, money laundering and identity theft.
The charges include 14 counts of access device fraud and 14 counts of aggravated identity theft.
Meanwhile, Eletu was arrested in the United Kingdom, where extradition proceedings remain pending.
The investigation involves several American agencies, including the IRS Criminal Investigation division.
US authorities stressed that the charges remain allegations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
