Abiola Kayode, a 37-year-old Nigerian national, has been extradited to Nebraska to face a 2019 indictment for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud. Arrested in Ghana in April 2023, Kayode was on the FBI’s Most Wanted Cyber Criminal List. He was transferred to the United States by FBI agents and had his initial court appearance on December 11, 2024. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson ordered his detention pending trial.

Kayode is accused of participating in a $6 million Business Email Compromise (BEC) scheme between 2015 and 2016. Allegedly, the scheme involved co-conspirators impersonating executives through spoofed emails, tricking businesses into wiring funds to fraudulent accounts. Some funds were reportedly laundered through accounts held by romance scam victims.

Several of Kayode’s co-conspirators have already been convicted, receiving sentences of 45 to 96 months, while others remain at large.

FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel stated:
“Four years ago, we identified six Nigerian nationals suspected of defrauding victims in Nebraska and other states of millions of dollars. Abiola Kayode is the second co-conspirator to be extradited to stand trial. To the remaining four: we are coming for you.”

The FBI credited Ghanaian authorities, including the Attorney General’s Office, Ghana Police Service - INTERPOL, and Ghana Immigration Service, for their role in Kayode’s extradition. “Dismantling cyber-criminal groups that victimize U.S. citizens remains a priority,” Kowel added.