Five popular Nigerian fraudsters (Yahoo Boys) who are now awaiting deportation, including a former Forbes-celebrated businessman, oyogist.com gathered.
Here is a breakdown of the five prominent figures whose criminal profiles and photographs were published by US authorities.
1. Obinwanne Okeke (Invictus Obi)
Perhaps the most shocking downfall on this list belongs to Obinwanne Okeke. Back in 2016, he was internationally celebrated, even landing a spot on the prestigious Forbes “30 Under 30” list as one of Africa’s most promising young entrepreneurs.
The illusion shattered when the FBI revealed he was the mastermind behind an $11 million global Business Email Compromise (BEC) ring. His group successfully hacked the systems of a heavy machinery supplier, Unatrac Holding Limited, diverting massive corporate payments into fraudulent accounts. He was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in 2021 and is now at the top of the deportation list.
1. Oriyomi Aloba
While most cyber scammers target individuals or corporations, Oriyomi Aloba took the incredibly brazen step of attacking the US justice system itself. Aloba successfully hacked into the Los Angeles Superior Court’s computer network.
After gaining control, he hijacked the court’s official servers to blast out over two million malicious phishing emails to unsuspecting victims, attempting to harvest credit card numbers and personal details. His audacious scheme earned him a 145-month (over 12-year) prison sentence in 2019.
1. Chibundu Anuebunwa
Chibundu Anuebunwa specialized in high-stakes corporate impersonation. Operating within a transnational cyber fraud syndicate, Anuebunwa helped execute a massive $2.5 million BEC scheme.
The ring specialized in “spoofing” (mimicking) and hacking corporate email addresses to impersonate top-tier executives. They tricked companies worldwide into approving massive, fraudulent wire transfers. In 2023, he was handed a 5.5-year federal prison sentence.
1. Quazeem Adeyinka
When the global pandemic hit, the US government set aside emergency funds to support struggling citizens. Quazeem Adeyinka and his crew saw this as an opportunity.
Adeyinka participated in a widespread wire fraud conspiracy that utilized stolen identities to file fake claims for COVID-19 unemployment benefits. The operation successfully siphoned more than $2.2 million directly out of taxpayer-funded relief programs. He was sentenced to 26 months in federal custody.
1. Olaolu Alabi
Operating out of Maryland, Olaolu Alabi also heavily exploited pandemic relief funds and corporate networks, stealing over $1.5 million through identity theft and wire fraud.
Alabi personally pocketed at least $500,000 of the stolen funds. Instead of laying low, he used the money to fund an extravagant lifestyle, which included flying his friends out for a luxury vacation in Hawaii. His high-flying lifestyle ground to a halt when he was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison.
What Happens Next?
While the DHS has made their profiles public, exact deportation dates have not been locked in. Under US law, each individual’s repatriation will be handled systematically by ICE as they finish serving their respective prison terms or exhaust any remaining legal avenues.
