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Ayoola Taiwo Adeoti, Email Fraud, Richland WA, 2019
RICHLAND, WA – A brazen scheme to defraud Benton County of over $740,000 through a sophisticated email hack has landed a 41-year-old man in federal hot water. Ayoola Taiwo Adeoti, also known as “Gaji,” faces a six-count federal indictment alleging bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy in connection with the November 2019 theft. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington unsealed the indictment this week, detailing a meticulously planned business email compromise (BEC) scam that preyed on county financial systems.
According to the indictment, Adeoti orchestrated the creation of fraudulent bank accounts in the Atlanta, Georgia area, using a fictitious business name. He then allegedly directed a co-conspirator to impersonate a legitimate Benton County contractor, sending a spoofed email from overseas that appeared authentic. Benton County employees, believing the fabricated electronic funds transfer information, unknowingly wired $740,216.79 into the account controlled by Adeoti and his associates. The scheme hinged on appearing legitimate, exploiting the trust Benton County placed in its established contractor relationships.
The fallout wasn’t total loss, however, thanks to quick thinking from county staff. Employees at the Benton County Auditor’s Office flagged the suspicious transaction and immediately alerted law enforcement. This swift response triggered a coordinated investigation by the United States Secret Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Agents executed a seizure warrant on the fraudulent bank account, recovering a significant portion of the stolen funds before they could disappear. A subsequent civil forfeiture action saw $717,201.44 returned to Benton County, meaning over 95% of the stolen money has been recovered.
“Business email compromise scams, often perpetrated outside of the state, are a recurring problem which illegally siphon funds from our businesses, local governments, and residents throughout Eastern Washington,” stated U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref. “In order to make Eastern Washington communities safer and stronger, we will continue to vigorously prosecute these scammers and those that manage these conspiracies.” Waldref specifically praised the Benton County Auditor’s Office for their rapid action, emphasizing its crucial role in minimizing the financial damage.
If convicted on all counts, Ayoola Taiwo Adeoti faces a potentially lengthy prison sentence. He could receive up to 20 years for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and each count of wire fraud, and up to 30 years for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and each count of bank fraud. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Tyler Tornabene, with the civil forfeiture handled by Brian M. Donovan. The Secret Service’s Spokane Resident Office led the investigation.
An indictment is, of course, not a conviction. Adeoti is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. But this case serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of financial fraud and the importance of vigilance in protecting public funds. The Secret Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office vow to continue pursuing these types of schemes, seeking to hold perpetrators accountable and recover stolen assets.
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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