Benin Extradites Nigerian to the United States over Alleged $100 Million Fraud

Akinade Adedeji Raheem, a 43-year-old Nigerian, was extradited from Benin to the United States and appeared before a federal court in Atlanta on October 26, 2026. He is accused of taking part in a tax fraud scheme from 2018 to 2023, filing more than 300 false tax returns and seeking over $100 million in refunds with alleged accomplice Abayomi Quadri Eletu. Prosecutors say the suspects used stolen personal information, prepaid cards and split money orders to obtain and launder the funds. Arrested in Benin on April 15 following an Interpol red notice, Raheem remains in custody and faces charges including fraud conspiracy, money-laundering conspiracy and aggravated identity theft.