Tacoma – Fatiu Ismaila Lawal, 46, a Nigerian man residing in Canada, has been sentenced to 54 months in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to defraud U.S. pandemic aid programs of more than $1 million.
Lawal was extradited from Canada last July and pleaded guilty in September 2024. At today’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright said the crime required substantial planning.
“This took advantage of programs designed to help people who were really struggling in an international emergency,” Judge Cartwright said.
According to records filed in the case, Lawal, and codefendant Sakiru Olanrewaju Ambali, 46, used the stolen identities of thousands of workers to submit over 1,700 claims for pandemic unemployment benefits to over 25 different states, including Washington State.
In total, the claims sought approximately $25 million, but the conspirators obtained approximately $2.7 million, primarily from pandemic unemployment benefits. Lawal admits that he personally submitted claims for $1,345,472.
Lawal personally submitted at least 790 unemployment claims using the stolen identities of 790 workers. He submitted claims for pandemic unemployment benefits to New York, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, California, Washington and some 19 other states. Lawal also established four internet domain names that were subsequently used for fraud – creating some 800 different email addresses that were used in this scheme.
Related Federal Cases
- James Battles Banks Over $5.8B Overdraft Rip-Off, Washington, 2023 · New York
- Letitia James Wins Agency Preservation, Washington DC, 2024 · New York
- James Trump, Foreign Aid Freeze Challenge, New York NY, 2023 · Connecticut
- Letitia James, Civil RICO Lawsuit, New York 2023 · New York
- Letitia James, Revocation of Temporary Protected Status, New York, 2023 · New York
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News