News

JUST IN: FBI Nabs Nigerians Nosakhare Nobore, Solomon Aluko for Inventing ‘Fraud Bible’ to Steal $50 Million from US Citizens

Published

4 weeks ago

March 21, 2025

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.

News

China Reaffirms One-China Principle, Commends Support From Nigeria

Published

1 hour ago

April 18, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…caution against engaging Taiwan’s unofficial representative office in Lagos

By Gloria Ikibah

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has strongly reaffirmed China’s long-standing stance on the Taiwan issue, urging media professionals and the general public in Nigeria to continue supporting the One-China Principle as a matter of international law and diplomatic integrity.

Speaking during an interactive session, Ambassador Yu offered a detailed historical context behind the Taiwan question, tracing it back to the 1895 Treaty of Shimonoseki when Taiwan was ceded to Japan after China’s defeat.

He emphasised that Taiwan was returned to China in 1945 following Japan’s defeat in World War II, citing two major international treaties.

He said: “Which is not an equal agreement because China was defeated. So, according to the agreement, Taiwan was ceded to Japan in 1895. So that’s why, if you go to Taiwan, many people speak Chinese, even nowadays.

“Taiwan was returned to China in 1945, after the Second World War, because Japan was defeated. There are two international treaties. The first one is the Post-Taiwan Declaration. The second one is the Post-Taiwan Proclamation. According to those two international declarations, Japan should, under no condition, return Taiwan, and its adjacent islands, including Penghu and Jinmen and other islands, back to China. So it’s specified in international laws”.

The Chinese envoy also referenced the 1971 United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, which recognised the People’s Republic of China as the only legal representative of China in the UN.

Yu praised Nigeria for its consistent and clear support of the One-China Principle.

“The UNGA took the Resolution 2758, which got the support of African countries, and that restored China’s seat in the UN, and expelled the Kuomintang from the UN, Taiwan from the UN. And recognized that Taiwan is part of China.

“For Nigeria, Nigeria has followed, has abided by the One-China Principle very strictly. There is no ambiguity, no other room, there is no other interpretation. So we appreciate that,” he added.

He further noted the joint statement issued by President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President, Xi Jinping, reaffirming Nigeria’s support for China’s reunification efforts.

“When it comes to the Taiwan issue, you know, he said that Nigeria recognizes Taiwan, there is only one China in the world. Taiwan is part of China. The People’s Republic of China is the sole legal representative of China. And it also adds that the Nigerian government opposes any form of Taiwan independence. And the Nigerian government supports all the efforts of the Chinese government to achieve its reunification.”

He stressed that the Taiwan issue is

“the core interest of China” and called for caution in how the issue is handled by Nigerian media and institutions.

“It’s a red line. I would ask all of you, number one, you know, to follow this One-China Principle, as the government has done. That means that you will be very careful when it comes to the Taiwan issue. For instance, how do you use the name? You will see that Taiwan-China, or Taiwan-Province-China, or Taiwan-Region. It’s all fine. But not, you know, see Taiwan as a country.”

Ambassador Yu also warned against engaging with Taiwan’s unofficial representative office in Lagos.

“Because there is still a three-representative office in Lagos, which was actually moved out from Abuja to Lagos. But still, the representative there is trying to make troubles. From time to time, you know, he tried to advocate the separation of Taiwan and Taiwan independence. So that’s why I would ask all of you to be very careful not to engage in any, how to say, activity with the government. Because he will try to use particular media as a platform to expand his, you know, ideas”, he warned.

This statement from the Chinese envoy comes as Nigeria and China continue to deepen bilateral ties under the framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

News

Senator Natasha on FB listed 3 politicians that should be arrested if anything happens to her

Published

2 hours ago

April 18, 2025

ADMIN

The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial district, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken to her verified Facebook page to raise a serious alarm, alleging that her life is in danger following a reported attack on her family house in Kogi State.

In the strongly worded post, the Kogi-born lawmaker fingered some high-ranking political figures in Nigeria, declaring that should anything happen to her, the Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, and the current state Governor, Usman Ododo, should be held accountable.

“Nigeria Police, I reiterate, should any harm befall me, Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Ex Gov. Yahaya Bello & Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi state should be held responsible,” she posted.

Her statement comes, hours after her family home in Kogi was attacked, although details surrounding the incident remain sketchy as of the time of filing this report.

Recall that this is not the first time the Kogi senator is making such allegations against the trio. She made the same statement few weeks ago during her homecoming to Kogi State where she accused the senate president, Akpabio and Yahaya Bello for plotting evil against her.

Senator Natasha has been a vocal political figure and critic of the ruling establishment in Kogi, and this latest development adds to the growing tension in the state and national political landscape.

Authorities are yet to issue an official response to her recent allegations.

News

Emergency Rule: We should be thankful to President Tinubu -Wike

Published

3 hours ago

April 18, 2025

ADMIN

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has backed President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, saying he wanted the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the oil-rich state.

In a move that has continued to divide opinions, Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly following months of political crisis in Rivers State.

But Wike said the president’s move saved Rivers from implosion, arguing that the decision to appoint a sole administrator following Fubara’s suspension was a step in the right direction.

The former Rivers governor said this on Friday in Abuja during a media parley with select journalists.

“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy in the state.” Wike said.

However, people must tell the truth. The governor was gone. He was gone, yes… so when people say the president did this, I say they should be praising him.

“Every morning, they should go to the president and ask, ‘Can we wash your feet for saving us?’”

In February, the Supreme Court waded into the months-long political crisis in Rivers State, asking the Martin Amaewhule-led members of the state’s House of Assembly to resume sitting.

The apex court also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop releasing funds to the Rivers State government over what it labelled as disregard for court orders. It dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Amaewhule as the Speaker and asked the governor to re-present the budget to the lawmakers.

After weeks of back and forth between Amaewhule and the lawmakers over the budget re-presentation and moves to impeach Fubara, President Tinubu stepped in.

He suspended Fubara and his deputy and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months, citing security reasons. Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as the sole administrator, a step Wike said saved Rivers.

“Mr president came in and saved the situation, saved Rivers people from that calamity and anarchy,” the FCT minister argued.