March 31, (THEWILL) – A Nigerian national, Sobanke Idris Sunday Adereti, has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for fraud violations in the Eastern District of Texas, United States Attorney, Brit Featherston said.
“Scams to steal money are around every corner. Unfortunately, many of these crimes target our vulnerable older population. It is up to all of us to share this awareness and look out for our greatest generation. Thanks to the keen eye of bank officials, Adereti was apprehended”, said Attorney Featherston.
A statement on Wednesday, published on the website of the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria, said Adereti is the son of a Nigerian traditional ruler.
“Sobanke Idris Sunday Adereti, 24, pleaded guilty on Oct. 25, 2021, to passport fraud and attempted bank fraud, and was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle.
“Additionally, evidence showed that Adereti was the son of a Nigerian traditional ruler and entered the United States on a visitor’s visa in 2018, which has since expired,” the statement partly read without mentioning the name of the traditional ruler”, it said.
The US embassy explained that Adereti was using multiple passports to defraud people.
The statement further reads: “According to court documents, in March 2021, Adereti presented a false passport and a falsely procured certified check when trying to open a bank account in Flower Mound, Texas.
“The check was purchased by a fraud victim, who was induced into sending money to Adereti, falsely known as Robinson Elijah.
“He was likely acting as a money mule to cash the victim’s checks. When Adereti was arrested, he had additional passports and bank statements in other names in his possession. Investigators determined that Adereti was also connected to scams related to business email compromise fraud and other government program fraud.
“Additionally, evidence showed that Adereti was the son of a Nigerian traditional ruler and entered the United States on a visitor’s visa in 2018, which has since expired.”
