Nigerian Man Arrested by FBI Upon Arrival in the U.S. for Multi-Million Dollar Fraud
On August 13, 2024, Yomi Jones “Sabbie” Olayeye, a 40-year-old Nigerian, was apprehended by Secret Service agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. Olayeye, who is accused of attempting to defraud the U.S. government of $10 million in unemployment benefits and receiving $1.5 million in pandemic relief payments, has been transferred from the Eastern District of New York to Massachusetts for further legal proceedings.
Olayeye, along with another unnamed Nigerian national, was indicted in September 2020 on charges of wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The indictment alleges that from March to July 2020, Olayeye and his co-conspirator submitted fraudulent claims for Unemployment Assistance (UI), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) across multiple states, including Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Michigan.
According to court documents, Olayeye and his accomplice used stolen personal information obtained through criminal online networks to impersonate state residents and apply for relief benefits. They reportedly opened bank accounts and prepaid debit cards to receive these funds, which were then transferred to Nigeria. They also rented space on a U.S. server to conceal their activities.
On August 20, a federal judge ordered Olayeye to be held at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, Rhode Island, while his case proceeds in Boston. The U.S. Attorney’s Office argued against granting bail, citing Olayeye’s previous visa application dishonesty and the significant evidence against him, including email and social media records linking him to the fraud.
If convicted, Olayeye faces up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and conspiracy, in addition to a mandatory minimum of two years for aggravated identity theft. He may also be subject to substantial fines and restitution.
The case is part of the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force’s efforts to combat pandemic-related fraud. For more details on the DOJ’s response to pandemic fraud, visit [DOJ Coronavirus](https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus).
Note: The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
