U.S. authorities have begun prosecuting extradited Nigerian, Olamide Shanu, over a $2m sextortion and wire fraud scheme.
U.S. authorities have opened prosecution against Lagos-based internet fraudster, Olamide Shanu, extradited from the UK over his role in a $2 million sextortion and wire fraud scheme.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) said on Thursday that “Shanu, 34, of Lagos, Nigeria, made his initial appearance yesterday after his extradition to the United States from the United Kingdom.” He appeared before Magistrate Judge Debora K. Grasham.
According to the DoJ, Shanu “is charged in an eight-count indictment with wire fraud conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit interstate communications with intent to extort, and cyberstalking.”
He and his conspirators allegedly posed as women online, persuading victims to send explicit images before threatening exposure unless paid. “If convicted of the charges, Shanu faces up to 20 years in federal prison,” the DoJ stated.
Investigators said Shanu obtained at least $2 million, laundering funds through peer-to-peer apps and cryptocurrency wallets before routing them to
Nigeria.