A Nigerian man, Abiola Quadri, has been sentenced to 135 months (over 11 years) in a United States federal prison for masterminding a $1.3 million COVID-19 fraud scheme using stolen identities to claim unemployment and disability benefits.
The 43-year-old, who is a permanent resident of Pasadena, California, reportedly used the stolen funds to build a 120-room luxury resort, a shopping mall, and a nightclub in Nigeria, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
ICE, in a statement posted on its official Instagram page on Wednesday, said Quadri submitted hundreds of fake claims using the identities of unsuspecting individuals to divert funds meant for vulnerable Americans during the pandemic.
“We’re proud that our special agents’ hard work paid off and Quadri will face justice for his crimes,” the agency stated.
Investigations showed that between 2021 and his arrest in September 2024 at Los Angeles International Airport — while attempting to travel to Nigeria — Quadri had withdrawn a large portion of the stolen money from ATMs and sent over $500,000 overseas.
Authorities said the money was traced to the construction of Oyins International Resort in Nigeria, which features a nightclub, shopping complex, and luxury amenities. The convict, however, failed to declare the property during court proceedings.
Further searches revealed 17 fake checks valued at more than $3.3 million stored on Quadri’s phone, along with messages linked to fraudulent transactions. Some of the checks were tied to shell companies operated under false names.
Quadri also misused his company, Rock of Peace, based in Altadena, California, which was paid to provide daycare services for developmentally disabled children. Law enforcement discovered food aid debit cards at his residence, indicating another line of fraud.
He was sentenced on July 10, 2023, by U.S. District Judge George H. Wu in Los Angeles and was also ordered to pay $1,356,229 in restitution and a fine of $35,000.
Court documents revealed that Quadri admitted to securing his U.S. residency through a sham marriage. He pleaded guilty on January 2 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
The case was jointly investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the California Employment Development Department. Prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Brown from the Major Frauds Section.
