Animashaun Adebo, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, New York 2026

BROOKLYN – Animashaun Adebo, also known as “Kazeem” and “Kazeem Animashaun,” a Nigerian national, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud conspiracy in connection with a sprawling network of scams that bled over $50 million from victims nationwide. The schemes, a particularly nasty strain of Business Email Compromise (BEC) and romance fraud, targeted both individuals and small businesses, leaving a trail of financial ruin in its wake.

According to federal prosecutors, Adebo and his co-conspirators didn’t just steal money – they meticulously laundered it through a complex web of shell companies, both in the United States and overseas. They even used unwitting accomplices, ‘middlemen’ who unknowingly facilitated the flow of stolen funds, further muddying the trail and delaying justice for the victims. The losses are staggering, with the Eastern District of New York alone accounting for a significant portion of the $50 million-plus total.

“The defendant and his network of criminal associates perpetrated sophisticated frauds targeting victims here in Brooklyn and throughout the country,” stated United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. “Schemes like these cause enormous hardship and financial losses to victims every year. Our Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to prioritize prosecuting these online criminal actors and getting victims their hard-earned money back.” The U.S. Attorney’s office is promising a full accounting of the stolen funds and a push for restitution where possible, a small comfort to those already devastated by the loss.

The U.S. Secret Service, leading the investigation, detailed the mechanics of the BEC schemes. Hackers, or those using social engineering tactics, gain access to legitimate business email accounts. Then, they issue fraudulent wire transfer instructions, often during real estate transactions, directing funds to accounts controlled by the criminals. Romance scams, a particularly cruel variation, involve building fake relationships online to exploit vulnerable individuals for financial gain. This isn't just about stolen money; it's about shattered trust and emotional devastation.

The fraudulent activity spanned from April 2021 to March 2022. The Secret Service says Adebo’s network preyed on the trust inherent in real estate deals, impersonating legitimate parties to redirect funds. The emails were crafted to appear authentic, mimicking the language and branding of established businesses to lull victims into a false sense of security. Matt McCool, Special Agent in Charge of the USSS New York Field Office, issued a stark warning: “The staggering number of monetary losses this defendant and his network of thieves inflicted on innocent, hardworking, and good people caused significant financial hardship and distress. Let this sentence send a message to other cyber-criminals out there: You won’t get away with your crimes forever. We will track you down.”

“I am proud of the work the U.S. Secret Service did in this case, and I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and our other law enforcement partners for their diligence in bringing justice to the innocent victims hurt by this criminal network,” McCool added. While Adebo’s guilty plea represents a significant step forward, the investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to hunt for his co-conspirators and recover the stolen funds. This case serves as a grim reminder of the ever-present threat of online fraud and the need for constant vigilance.

Source: https://www.secretservice.gov/newsroom/releases/2026/04/nigerian-national-pleads-guilty-series-multi-million-dollar-business