US Prosecutes Nigerian Extradited from UK for $2 Million Sextortion and Fraud Scheme

Authorities in the United States have begun prosecuting Olamide Shanu, a Nigerian national extradited from the United Kingdom, over allegations of cyber-enabled fraud schemes, including sextortion, romance scams, and wire fraud, through which he is accused of obtaining at least $2 million.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed that Shanu, 34, from Lagos, Nigeria, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debora K. Grasham in the District of Idaho on Wednesday. Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott disclosed the development last week.

Shanu faces an eight-count indictment, including wire fraud conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit interstate communications with intent to extort, cyberstalking, conspiracy to commit extortion, money laundering conspiracy, extortion, and interstate communications with intent to extort.

Shanu was initially arrested in London on November 7, 2023, based on the Idaho indictment and remained in UK custody until his extradition.

Court documents allege that Shanu and his accomplices posed as women on social media to lure male victims into sending sexually explicit images. Once obtained, the conspirators allegedly threatened to release the images unless victims paid money.

The indictment indicates the scheme targeted multiple victims across the U.S., including a college student in Idaho. It further alleges that the group engaged in romance scams and laundered proceeds through peer-to-peer payment platforms and cryptocurrency wallets before transferring funds to Nigeria.

Prosecutors say Shanu fraudulently obtained at least $2 million through these schemes. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison and may be ordered to pay restitution to the victims.

Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott thanked the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. State Department, and the UK’s National Crime Agency for their assistance in the arrest and extradition, stating, “We are grateful for the international cooperation that brought the defendant before justice.”

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service and Boise Police Department, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittney Campbell and Sean Mazorol, alongside Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) Trial Attorney Vasantha Rao.

Prosecutors emphasized that the indictment is merely an allegation and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.