Nigerian Citizen Harry Cole Extradited in $300M Sweepstakes Scam

Harry Cole, a 50-year-old Nigerian citizen residing in Canada, was extradited today from Canada to the Western District of Texas to face federal charges in a massive fraudulent “sweepstakes” scheme with an intended loss exceeding $300 million. Cole, also known as Akintomide Ayoola Bolu, John King, Big Bro, and Egbon, is accused of orchestrating a years-long scam that preyed on elderly Americans, exploiting trust and postal services to steal millions.

A federal grand jury indictment returned in September 2018 charges Cole with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud (Sweepstakes) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Cole is one of eight defendants implicated in the scheme, which ran from 2012 to 2016. He remains in federal custody and is scheduled for an initial appearance in Austin, Texas, tomorrow afternoon.

U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, Acting Special Agent in Charge Roderick Benson of IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Houston, HSI Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, and USPIS Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez announced the extradition. “If you defraud Americans, it doesn’t matter where you are in the world. The United States government will work tirelessly to find you, extradite you, and hold you accountable for your crimes,” Bash stated.

The indictment alleges that Cole purchased victim lists from Donna Lundy, a Mesquite, TX resident, containing personal details of elderly targets. From Toronto, Ontario, Cole and co-conspirators shipped packages filled with thousands of fraudulent sweepstakes mailers to U.S.-based associates. These mailers claimed victims had won large cash prizes and included counterfeit checks—typically for $8,000—along with pre-addressed envelopes instructing recipients to deposit the check and wire between $5,000 and $7,000 back as “fees” to claim their non-existent prize.

By the time banks flagged the checks as fraudulent, victims had already sent cash or money orders to the defendants. The scheme specifically targeted vulnerable seniors, a fact underscored by USPIS Inspector in Charge Gonzalez: “This scheme targeted one of our country’s most vulnerable populations, the elderly. Postal Inspectors will continue to work tirelessly with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate these crimes and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Other defendants include Akintola Akinmadeyemi; Austin residents Joel Calvin and Clarence Barefield (aka CJ); Nigerian citizens and Canadian residents Emmanuel Olawale Ajayi (aka Wale, aka Walata), Tony Dada Akinbobola (aka Lawrence D Awoniyi, aka Boss Tony, aka Toyin), and Bolaji Akinwunmi Oyewole (aka BJ, aka Beejay). “Today’s extradition demonstrates the power of the American judicial system,” said IRS-CI Acting Special Agent in Charge Benson. “Despite Cole living in Canada, our international partnerships ensured he was tracked and brought to justice.”}