Crime, News

From Pandemic Aid to Prison: Nigerian Man Gets 6½ Years for $5 Million COVID-19 Relief Fraud

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 6th, 2026.

From Pandemic Aid to Prison: Nigerian Man Gets 6½ Years for $5 Million COVID-19 Relief

A United States federal court has sentenced a Nigerian national, Adepoju Babatunde Salako, to six and a half years in prison for his involvement in a large-scale fraud scheme that targeted COVID-19 pandemic relief funds.

Salako, 34, who resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, received a 78 month prison sentence after admitting to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The judgment was delivered by a U.S. District Court following investigations into fraudulent activities linked to pandemic relief programmes.

According to officials, the defendant also agreed as part of a plea arrangement to plead guilty to seven additional counts of wire fraud filed in the District of Alaska. The court further ordered him to repay $2,581,002.50 in restitution to individuals and agencies affected by the fraudulent scheme.

Investigators revealed that Salako was involved in the criminal operation for most of 2021, during which the group allegedly exploited financial assistance initiatives introduced by the U.S. government to cushion the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authorities stated that the scheme targeted several relief programmes, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programme, and unemployment benefits offered across multiple U.S. states. Through the operation, the network reportedly diverted more than $5 million in relief funds.

Court filings indicated that Salako worked with accomplices who used stolen personal identities to file fraudulent applications for government-backed loans and unemployment benefits. These applications enabled the group to obtain funds that were intended to support businesses and individuals affected by the pandemic.

Prosecutors said Salako’s primary role in the operation involved receiving funds from victims of romance scams as well as government agencies before transferring the money through international channels. Investigators noted that the illicit proceeds were largely routed to destinations in China and Nigeria, with Salako reportedly collecting a commission of about 25 percent for facilitating the transactions.

Reacting to the case, the United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, Peter McNeilly, described the scheme as a serious abuse of public resources and a betrayal of public trust.

He emphasized that the perpetrators exploited both individual victims and taxpayer-funded programmes designed to assist people during a global crisis.

Officials from the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General also warned that individuals who attempt to misuse government relief programmes for criminal gain would face significant legal consequences.

Authorities said the case highlights ongoing efforts by U.S. law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute fraud connected to pandemic relief initiatives, many of which were established to help struggling businesses and workers during the health emergency.