Nigerian Man Convicted in $2.7m Romance Scam Money Laundering Case

(US court. Photo Credit: Daily Post)

A 41-year-old Nigerian national has been convicted by a federal court in the United States for orchestrating the laundering of over $2.7 million in proceeds from romance fraud and related online schemes targeting victims.

Babajide Adesayo, based in Douglasville, Georgia, was found guilty on August 6, 2026, following an eight-day trial, facing two conspiracy convictions and 16 transactional money-laundering counts.

The fraudulent operations ran from April 2020 through September 2021, with Adesayo and co-defendant Efemena Igbe, also Nigerian, engineering schemes that exploited elderly individuals through fabricated online relationships.

Scammers posed as friends, business partners, or romantic interests and convinced victims to transfer substantial sums including retirement funds and personal savings under false pretences involving equipment purchases, medical emergencies, injuries, or claimed imprisonment.

The evidence revealed that victims sent money to business accounts controlled by Igbe, who then routed most funds through Adesayo's vehicle dealership as purported car purchases.

From there, Adesayo relocated the capital to accounts across China, Hong Kong, Nigeria, and elsewhere.

Over 17 months, he received and moved more than $2.7 million obtained from defrauded victims.

Authorities uncovered that Adesayo persisted in laundering funds after his June 2024 arrest while awaiting trial.

Funds flowed through various channels some victims transferred directly to his business accounts, whilst others sent to third parties before the money reached him.

Adesayo consistently withdrew or transferred the funds shortly after receipt.

His bond was revoked following discovery of post-arrest activity, and he has remained in federal custody since March 2, 2026.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 20, 2026, before United States District Judge Mark H. Cohen.

He faces a statutory maximum of 20 years per conspiracy conviction, up to 10 years for each money-laundering count, and an additional 10 years for committing offences while on release, though the judge will determine the final sentence within guideline recommendations.