Alexandria, Va. – The grimy world of cybercrime got a shock today as Olajide Abraham Eyitayo, the alleged mastermind behind a $1.1 million email phishing scam, pleaded guilty in federal court.
According to court documents, the 46-year-old from Hempstead, New York, orchestrated a sophisticated scheme that defrauded a Virginia-based trade association of over a quarter of a million dollars initially. The plot thickened as Eyitayo managed to siphon off more than $1.1 million before his web was finally unravelled.
Eyitayo set up three banking accounts using a company he formed in New York. His accounts lay dormant until April 2016, when he received payments meant for a travel vendor that had been changed via a spoof email impersonating the genuine vendor. The association was duped into sending over $280,000 to one of Eyitayo’s accounts.
But this wasn’t the end. Over several months, Eyitayo continued to receive payments totaling more than a million dollars. He was relentless in his efforts to launder the proceeds, purchasing cars and wiring money across various accounts, all while trying to keep law enforcement at bay.
When caught, Eyitayo spun a web of lies, claiming he worked in the lingerie business and using false stories to deceive bank officials and law enforcement. His plea today on wire fraud charges doesn’t paint him as innocent; he faces up to 20 years behind bars when sentenced on June 15.
The case was brought to light by Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Andrew W. Vale, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The justice system awaits its due course as Eyitayo’s fate hangs in the balance.
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Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Cybercrime|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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