Three U.S.–based Nigerians were sentenced to eight years in prison for orchestrating a $520,910 COVID-19 unemployment benefit fraud.
Three Nigerians residing in the United States have been sentenced to eight years in prison for orchestrating a scheme that fraudulently obtained $520,910 in COVID-19 unemployment benefits. The elaborate fraud involved the improper filing of claims under the CARES Act, resulting in significant financial losses to the U.S. government.
The trio allegedly exploited vulnerabilities in unemployment systems during the pandemic, submitting false or exaggerated claims to receive benefit payments. Investigators say the suspects manipulated identities and documentation to make the submitted claims appear legitimate.
At sentencing, the court emphasized the severity of exploiting a national crisis for personal gain, ruling that the lengthy prison term is necessary as both punishment and deterrent. “This was a blatant abuse of emergency relief,” remarked the presiding judge, highlighting the broader implications for public trust in relief programmes. Prosecutors also secured forfeiture of any assets tied to the scheme