A Nigerian man based in the United Kingdom, Olamide Shanu, has been extradited to the United States to face multiple charges over his alleged role in a $2 million internet fraud and sextortion scheme.
The US Department of Justice (DoJ) confirmed on Thursday that the 34-year-old appeared before a magistrate court on Wednesday, where he was arraigned on an eight-count indictment.
Eight-Count Indictment
Prosecutors allege that Shanu, originally from Lagos State, is facing charges including wire fraud conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit extortion, money laundering conspiracy, cyberstalking, and related offences.
The indictment details that Shanu and his co-conspirators engaged in a sophisticated operation to exploit victims across the United States, luring them into compromising situations before demanding money.
Sextortion Scheme
According to the DoJ, Shanu and his associates posed as women on social media platforms, persuading unsuspecting men to share explicit photographs of themselves.
Once obtained, prosecutors say the images were used as leverage, with threats to circulate them to friends and family unless payments were made.
Victims Across the US
Court filings allege the network targeted multiple individuals, including a college student in Idaho, among others. Prosecutors claim the group operated over several years, extorting numerous victims.
“The indictment alleges that once the victims sent the explicit images, the conspirators threatened to share them unless the victim paid money,” the DoJ said.
Cryptocurrency Laundering
Beyond sextortion, the scheme allegedly included laundering illicit proceeds through cryptocurrency wallets, making the funds more difficult to trace.
Investigators believe the operation netted at least $2 million from its victims, with Shanu playing a central role.
Possible 20-Year Sentence
If convicted, Shanu could face up to 20 years in a US federal prison. In addition, he may be ordered to pay restitution to victims for financial and emotional damages suffered.
“An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” the DoJ stressed.
Related Cases
The case follows similar prosecutions involving Nigerians extradited to the United States on cybercrime-related charges.
In August, another Nigerian, Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu, was extradited from France to the US, where he faces up to 47 years in prison over alleged wire fraud, hacking, and identity theft that cost victims over $819,000.
Growing Crackdown
US authorities say the latest indictment highlights ongoing efforts to combat international cyber fraud and sextortion crimes that have left victims financially and emotionally scarred.
Editing by M10News Crime Desk | Contact: crime@m10news.com
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