A Nigerian national, Matthew Abiodun Akande, has been arrested in London and extradited to the United States after being charged with leading a large-scale fraud scheme that defrauded American taxpayers out of millions of dollars. Akande, 36, is accused of orchestrating a complex scheme that used stolen personal information to request social benefits from the U.S. government. The total amount sought by the syndicate is estimated at $8.1 million, with at least $1.3 million successfully obtained.
Akande was arrested at London Heathrow Airport on October 24, 2024, and after months of legal processes, was transferred to Boston, Massachusetts, on March 5, 2025. U.S. prosecutors revealed that he was the mastermind behind a fraudulent operation that spanned several years, involving hundreds of stolen identities and a sophisticated network of cybercriminals.
According to an indictment unsealed on Wednesday, Akande’s fraud operation was carried out through fraudulent phishing emails that targeted tax preparation firms in Massachusetts. These emails appeared to be from potential clients seeking tax services, but in reality, they were carefully crafted attempts to gain access to sensitive personal data.
Prosecutors explained that the emails were designed to trick the tax firms into downloading malicious software, known as Remote Access Trojan (RAT) malware, including a variant called Warzone RAT. Once the software was installed on the firms’ systems, Akande and his co-conspirators were able to steal crucial personal information, including tax details and social security numbers, from clients who had entrusted their data to the firms.
“This was a highly sophisticated operation that used modern cyber tools to exploit trusted businesses and steal critical personal data,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, Rachel Rollins. “The scale of this operation is truly alarming, and we are committed to holding those responsible accountable.”
The stolen data was then used to file fraudulent tax returns seeking over $8.1 million in refunds. U.S. authorities confirmed that the fraudsters successfully secured over $1.3 million in refunds, which were then transferred to Mexico, where Akande was based at the time.
The indictment revealed that the scheme had been operating for approximately five years, from June 2016 to June 2021. Over that period, at least 1,000 fraudulent tax returns were filed, each using stolen identities and manipulated tax data. The fraudsters took advantage of vulnerable systems, bypassing the usual checks and balances in place to protect taxpayers.
“Fraudulent tax schemes like this not only harm taxpayers, but they also undermine the integrity of the tax system,” said John Durham, a senior official with the U.S. Department of Justice. “We will continue to take aggressive action to bring those who exploit technology for fraudulent gain to justice.”
Akande’s arrest was the result of an international effort, with law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and the United Kingdom working together to track him down. After his capture in London, the extradition process was initiated, and he was sent to the U.S. to face charges related to theft of government funds, identity theft, and wire fraud.
In the court proceedings in Boston, Akande was formally charged with several counts of stealing government funds and identity theft. U.S. prosecutors made it clear that he was the leader of the syndicate and had played a significant role in orchestrating the fraudulent activities. He was remanded in custody while awaiting trial, with his legal team yet to be appointed.
The extradition process was not without its challenges, but British authorities ultimately agreed to send Akande to the U.S. after the necessary legal procedures were followed. The case has highlighted the increasing collaboration between international law enforcement agencies in combating transnational crime, especially cybercrime.
Akande was not the only individual involved in this scheme. His co-conspirator, Kehinde Oyetunji, another Nigerian national, had already been arrested and sentenced to prison for his role in the fraud operation. Oyetunji’s involvement was critical, as he worked closely with Akande to execute the fraud at various stages. Both men are believed to have coordinated the scheme from Mexico, using advanced technological methods to carry out the heist.
Oyetunji’s conviction marked a significant step in the investigation, but authorities were determined to bring Akande to justice for his leadership role in the operation.
The arrest of Matthew Akande comes amid a growing trend of high-profile prosecutions involving internet fraudsters of Nigerian origin operating in the U.S. In recent weeks, U.S. authorities have charged several other individuals, including a senior Nigerian politician and a prominent monarch, for their involvement in separate fraud cases.
