The fraudster used leased U.S. IP addresses and recruited local accomplices to launder stolen unemployment benefits.
A 40-year-old Nigerian man has admitted to leading a conspiracy that stole over $1.5 million in pandemic relief funds across nine U.S. states.
Yomi Jones Olayeye, aka “Sabbie,” pleaded guilty to wire fraud and identity theft charges in Boston federal court Wednesday. Prosecutors said his ring used stolen identities to file fake unemployment claims in Massachusetts and eight other states, funneling funds through U.S. bank accounts before converting them to Bitcoin. The scheme sought $10𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑜𝑛, successfully obtaining $1.5 million before Olayeye’s August 2024 arrest at JFK Airport.
Facing up to 22 years in prison, Olayeye will be sentenced August 2025. The case, investigated by the Secret Service and FBI, is part of a wider crackdown on COVID-19 fraud that has recovered billions in stolen relief funds nationwide.
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