A Nigerian man, Sobanke Idris Sunday Adereti has been sentenced to 33 months in US federal prison for fraud violations in the Eastern District of Texas.
U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston made the announcement in a statement published on the US Justice Department’s website on Wednesday.
Adereti, 24, reportedly pleaded guilty on Oct. 25, 2021, to passport fraud and attempted bank fraud.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Adereti with federal violations on April 7, 2021.
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.
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The check was reportedly 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,” the statement read in part.
U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston said, “Scams to steal money are around every corner.
“Thanks to the keen eye of bank officials, Adereti was apprehended. Unfortunately, many of these crimes target our vulnerable elder population. It is up to all of us to share this awareness and look out for our greatest generation.”