A Nigerian national, Adedunmola Gbadegesin, was sentenced on Friday to a 60‑month jail term for a money‑laundering conspiracy. He had been arrested in Nigeria in September 2021 and was also charged with wire fraud for his role in an international romance scheme, a charge that was later dropped as part of a plea deal. The romance scam reportedly cost a Lexington, Kentucky woman about $200,000, according to the Kentucky Herald‑Leader.
Gbadegesin pleaded guilty in September to one count of money‑laundering conspiracy, as cited in court documents. Before sentencing, he admitted guilt, explaining that he entered the scheme to support his family, and expressed remorse. His lawyer requested a 36‑month prison sentence, while prosecutors sought 63 months. U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell imposed a five‑year term and ordered him to forfeit $38,000 that had been recovered.
The romance scheme involved creating fake online profiles on dating sites, targeting primarily older women, and convincing them they were in a genuine relationship in order to extract money. On April 27 2022, Gbadegesin was extradited to the United States, where he faced charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. These offenses violate Title 18 of the U.S. Code, Sections 1349 and 1956(h), and carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
His extradition was coordinated by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the request of the Attorney General of the Federation. It followed a February 11 2022 order by Justice D. Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos (Suit No. FHC/L/CS/765/21), which granted the request to send the suspect to the United States to answer criminal charges related to the romance scam, wire fraud, and money laundering.
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