The man, from Nigeria, is accused of using sextortion and romance scams. The indictment states he posed as a woman on social media platforms to target male victims
BOISE, Idaho — A Nigerian man accused of defrauding victims of at least $2 million through sextortion and romance scams appeared in federal court after being extradited from the United Kingdom.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Olamide Shanu, 34, of Lagos, Nigeria, made his initial appearance Sept. 17 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debora K. Grasham on eight federal charges that could result in up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The charges include wire fraud conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit interstate communications with intent to extort and cyberstalking, conspiracy to commit extortion, money laundering conspiracy, extortion, interstate communications with intent to commit extortion, and cyberstalking.
Federal prosecutors allege Shanu and co-conspirators posed as women on social media platforms to target male victims, persuading them to send explicit images. The defendants then allegedly threatened to distribute them to the victims’ friends and family members unless they made payments.
The scheme targeted numerous victims across the United States, including a college student in Idaho, according to the indictment. Prosecutors say the defendants also operated romance scams and other cyber-enabled fraud schemes.
The officials said proceeds from the schemes were laundered through peer-to-peer payment applications and cryptocurrency wallets before being transferred to perpetrators in Nigeria.
London authorities arrested Shanu on Nov. 7, 2023, based on an indictment filed in the District of Idaho. According to the office, he has remained in custody since his arrest.
If convicted on all charges, Shanu also faces restitution payments to victims.
Officials credited the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. State Department for facilitating Shanu’s arrest and extradition. The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency’s National Extradition Unit also provided critical assistance in the case.
