Edikan Adiakpan gets prison time for laundering online fraud proceeds through a luxury car service company.
A federal court in Texas has sentenced a Nigerian national, Edikan Adiakpan, to two years and six months in federal prison for his role in a sophisticated online fraud and money laundering scheme, according to information published by The Sun Nigeria.
US District Judge Andrew Hanen delivered the sentence in Houston, ordering that the 35-year-old defendant also serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison term, following a guilty plea entered on May 12.
Investigators revealed that the criminal syndicate operated between 2020 and 2022, using a fake luxury car business named Akama Lifestyle to launder illicit funds obtained through business email compromise scams targeting multiple victims across the United States.
Business email compromise and luxury car laundering
Court documents detailed how the fraud ring utilized spoofed emails designed to mimic legitimate suppliers and creditors. These deceptive messages tricked unsuspecting companies into wiring significant payments directly to bank accounts controlled by the Houston-based syndicate rather than their actual vendors.
One primary target, a small utility trailer company based in Mississippi, suffered a devastating loss after being deceived into wiring 927,080 dollars meant for its official trailer supplier straight into accounts tied to the fraud network, as outlined in a emotional victim impact statement.
Role of Akama Lifestyle in federal money laundering
During the sentencing hearing, federal prosecutors explained that Edikan Adiakpan used his controlled entity, Akama Lifestyle, to move the illicit proceeds and kept a substantial percentage of the stolen money as a personal commission for his services.
US authorities confirmed that the defendant personally deposited and cashed several cashier checks made out to himself and his exotic car company, containing 359,000 dollars of the Mississippi utility trailer company money before law enforcement intervened.
Federal investigation and previous sentencing details
At the time of his arrest in Texas, Edikan Adiakpan held only temporary legal status in the United States. Federal investigators from the FBI Houston Division, its Bryan Resident Agency, and the IRS Criminal Investigation unit thoroughly probed the case.
Assistant US Attorney Belinda Beek successfully prosecuted the matter, which also involved another Nigerian national, 27-year-old Ayobami Omoniyi, who previously received a 32-month federal prison sentence on March 24 for participating in the same fraudulent network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Edikan Adiakpan?
Edikan Adiakpan is a 35-year-old Nigerian living in Houston, Texas, who was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison for laundering online fraud proceeds.
What was the role of Akama Lifestyle in the fraud?
Akama Lifestyle was a luxury car service company used by Edikan Adiakpan to move illicit funds from business email compromise scams and collect commissions.
How much money did the victims lose in the scam?
The fraud ring targeted over 10 victims in the United States, with one small utility trailer company in Mississippi losing 927,080 dollars.
Who else was convicted in this Texas fraud scheme?
Another Nigerian national named Ayobami Omoniyi, 27, was previously sentenced on March 24 to 32 months in federal prison for his involvement in the same criminal syndicate.
