By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Two Nigerian international scammers who created a ‘Fraud Bible’ to carry out large-scale scams targeting the U.S. government and its citizens have been arrested in the United States.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation apprehended the duo for developing the ‘Fraud Bible’ as part of a scheme that defrauded $50 million from Americans through a nationwide COVID-19 benefits scam.

A four-count criminal indictment, unsealed on Thursday by Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Matthew Podolsky, charged Nosakhare Nobore and Solomon Aluko, both residents of New Jersey, with participating in a criminal network that fraudulently obtained checks and laundered the proceeds across multiple U.S. cities.

“We allege that the defendants stole tens of millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief and other checks, and even used a ‘Fraud Bible’ containing instructions for committing fraud,” said Mr Podolsky. “This Office will not tolerate the exploitation of programs designed to support the public in times of crisis, and we and our law enforcement partners will hold those responsible to full account.”

The indictment reviewed by Peoples Gazette alleges that the duo, along with four others—Jorge Gonzalez, Leonard Ujkic, Nicholas Pappas, and Shan Anand—plotted to steal $80 million from the U.S. government, banks, and individuals through a scheme that spanned four years, from 2021 to 2025.

To facilitate their operation, the suspects created a Telegram group called “2021 Fraud Bible,” where they openly discussed their illicit activities and shared fraudulent methods for defrauding Americans, according to the indictment.

Officials stated that the defendants specialized in identity theft, using stolen personal information to open fraudulent bank accounts. One of the suspects, a bank teller at a major U.S. financial institution, allegedly helped tailor these accounts to support their scheme.

The bank teller provided the group with a means to deposit counterfeit or fraudulently obtained U.S. Treasury checks. These checks were linked to false and illegitimate filings with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in connection with the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and Qualified Sick Leave Wages (QSLW) credit.

“Many of the checks were funds provided by the government for COVID-19 relief that the defendants stole before depositing into bank accounts opened using sham businesses or stolen or fake identities,” U.S. officials stated.

Messrs. Nobore and Aluko, along with others, attempted to steal up to $80 million but ultimately managed to obtain $50 million over four years. After depositing the fraudulent checks, they either withdrew the funds in cash or transferred them to bank accounts under their control.

Each faces a potential prison sentence of 30 years for conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, 20 years for conspiracy to commit money laundering, 10 years for conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government, and a mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft.

…say ‘we were left to sit on bare floor without attention

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Victims of the recent explosion in Abuja have expressed frustration over the poor services at the National Hospital in Abuja, the nation’s capital, calling for immediate action.

During a visit to the hospital on Thursday, media observed distressing scenes, with some patients sitting on the floor, their bodies covered in wounds and bandages.

Victims who spoke to the media revealed that many of them were not attended to until the early hours of the following day, with some claiming they were discharged without receiving proper treatment.

They lamented being left to sit on the floor for hours.

“We waited for hours without any care. It wasn’t until around 4 a.m. the next day that some of us were finally seen by medical staff,” one victim lamented.

Others criticised the hospital’s lack of adequate facilities and personnel, highlighting the dire conditions they endured.

“This is supposed to be one of the best hospitals in the country, but the reality is far from it. We were treated poorly, and some of us were sent home even though we needed further medical attention,” another patient said.

The family of a patient receiving medical treatment has expressed deep concerns over the rising costs of drugs and healthcare expenses, lamenting the financial burden placed on them while caring for their loved one.

Speaking to SaharaReporters, a relative of the patient described the overwhelming strain of purchasing necessary medications, which they say has drained their savings.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure our loved one gets the best care, but the cost of treatment is becoming unbearable,” they said.

The family called on authorities to address the high cost of essential medicines, urging more subsidies or assistance programmes to support patients and their caregivers.

A hospital official told SaharaReporters that some patients at the hospital experienced delays in receiving medical attention because doctors prioritised those with severe injuries.

According to hospital authorities, individuals with minor injuries were discharged to free up space for those in critical condition.

“Some patients were not attended to in a timely manner because others had major injuries that required urgent care,” the official said.

Officials reassured the public that those discharged did not have serious injuries and were stable enough to leave. Meanwhile, the hospital continues to manage patient influx and provide necessary treatment to those in need.

Efforts to get a reaction from Muhammad Gidado Adamu, the Senior Public Relations Officer at the National Hospital Abuja, proved unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced that he has taken responsibility for the medical bills of victims involved in a tragic road accident in Karu.

Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike said he immediately instructed the Mandate Secretary on Health and Environment, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, to ensure prompt medical attention for the victims.

“On my directive, Dr. Fasawe was at Asokoro District Hospital throughout the night, working alongside medical personnel attending to the 17 casualties brought in,” Wike stated.

According to the minister, seven of the victims were later transferred to the National Hospital, while six with minor injuries were successfully treated. Three others with severe burns and crush injuries remain under medical care, though one of them, who suffered third-degree burns, succumbed despite resuscitation efforts.

Wike used the opportunity to urge road users, particularly heavy-duty vehicle drivers, to adhere strictly to speed limits and traffic rules to prevent similar tragedies.

“It is painful that precious lives were lost, and vehicles were destroyed in an accident that could have been avoided,” he lamented.

He also called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to intensify efforts to enforce road safety regulations and ensure strict compliance

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A Nigerian national residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of theft of government property, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced on Wednesday.

The one-count indictment names 43-year-old Funke Iyanda as the sole defendant, reportedly without legal status in the United States, a statement issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, said.

According to the indictment, between May 27, 2020, and May 24, 2021, Iyanda allegedly prepared and submitted a false application for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits using another person’s identity.

The fraudulent claim, submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor, resulted in Iyanda unlawfully receiving approximately $40,980 in benefits.

If convicted, Iyanda faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. The actual sentence would be determined based on the federal sentencing guidelines, considering the severity of the offence and any prior criminal history.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci is handling the prosecution on behalf of the government.

The U.S. Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation that led to the indictment.

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.