FBI Arrests Two Nigerians in $50M COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme

FBI Arrests Two Nigerians in $50M COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme

The FBI has arrested two Nigerian nationals, Nosakhare Nobore and Solomon Aluko, in the United States for their alleged involvement in a massive fraud scheme targeting American citizens and government relief programs.

According to a four-count indictment unsealed on March 20, 2025, by Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky of the Southern District of New York, the duo, along with four co-conspirators, orchestrated a four-year fraud operation (2021–2025) aimed at stealing $80 million, successfully siphoning $50 million.

The indictment reveals that the group exploited COVID-19 relief programs, including the Employee Retention Credit and Qualified Sick Leave Wages Credit, by stealing identities to open fraudulent bank accounts and cash U.S. Treasury checks. A bank teller at a major U.S. bank allegedly assisted in setting up these accounts for easy withdrawals.