Crime

FBI Busts Nigerian Fraudster “Bobo Chicago” in $2.8 Million Scheme

Published by Tope Fakinlede on November 28th, 2024.

FBI Busts Nigerian Fraudster “Bobo Chicago” in $2.8 Million Scheme

The FBI arrested Oluyomi Omobolanle Bombata, also known as Bobo Chicago or Bola Flexx, on November 20 in Chicago, Illinois, in connection with a massive $2.8 million fraud scheme. The 25-year-old Nigerian is accused of scamming multiple companies and individuals, primarily in Oklahoma, over several months.

Bombata, notorious for his lavish lifestyle, was apprehended based on an arrest warrant issued in Oklahoma following multiple criminal complaints and an investigation that uncovered fraudulent activities linked to him. He had previously been known for exploiting Nigerians in the Houston area before relocating to Chicago.

From Chicago, Bombata was transferred to Oklahoma, where he faces five felony charges, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to launder money, and illegal monetary transactions. These crimes were allegedly committed between June and October 2023.

The FBI has traced approximately $2.8 million in fraudulent funds collected by Bombata, much of it through hacking into business and personal accounts in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Authorities also discovered that he transferred over $300,000 of these illicit funds to a well-known U.S. liquor store, implicating the store’s owner in the scheme.

Following his arrest, Bombata was assigned a public defender after claiming he lacked the financial means to hire private counsel. This move suggests he is preparing to face the charges without a prolonged legal battle.

His arrest is part of a wider effort by U.S. authorities to crack down on Nigerian fraudsters. Bombata joins a list of individuals, including well-known figures like Ramon “Hushpuppi” Abbas and Olalekan “Mr. Woodberry” Ponle, who have been convicted or are facing charges in connection with large-scale frauds targeting U.S. businesses.

Hushpuppi, arrested in Dubai in June 2020 and later extradited to the U.S., was sentenced to 11 years in prison for his role in a global internet scam. Meanwhile, Ponle was sentenced to over eight years in prison in July 2023 after pleading guilty to fraud charges.

Bombata’s case highlights the continuing problem of cybercrime and the efforts of U.S. authorities to hold international fraudsters accountable.