KEY POINTS
- FBI urges EFCC to assist in arresting Nigerian fugitives.
- The suspects allegedly defrauded healthcare providers out of $13 million.
- If caught, fugitives will face extradition and asset forfeiture.
The FBI has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to assist in the arrest of two Nigerian fugitives wanted in connection with healthcare fraud in the United States.
FBI seeks EFCC help in tracking Nigerian fugitives
Babatunde Shodiya and Yinka Jamiu were indicted by a grand jury on Sept. 25 at the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota for a scheme that led to $13 million in losses for healthcare providers between October 2020 and 2024.
“The U.S. officials have contacted us, and they said the suspects are hiding in the country. We should honour the request of our U.S. counterparts as part of our longstanding collaboration to combat cross-border crimes,” an EFCC agent, who spoke to *Peoples Gazette* on anonymity, said.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger stated that Shodiya and Jamiu allegedly created fake websites and email addresses to manipulate payment transfers on Optum Pay, posing as owners of Fairview Health.
The suspects allegedly sent emails to Fairview Health employees using fraudulent email addresses, deceiving them into providing login information.
Healthcare fraud scheme cost providers $13 million
They also created a counterfeit website, fairviewhospitals.org, and posed as key Fairview personnel, including the CEO, executive vice president, and a business analyst.
In addition to wire fraud charges, Shodiya faces an aggravated identity theft charge for allegedly impersonating Fairview executives.
“As part of the scheme, Babatunde and Jamiu created a fake internet domain,” Luger said. “The domain was designed to appear as though it was controlled by Fairview Health.”
“Babatunde and Ahmed fraudulently redirected over $13 million in payments intended for Fairview Health from Minnesota healthcare companies.”
“They sent the funds to accounts they controlled by Babatunde, Ahmed, and their co-conspirators.”
If arrested, authorities would extradite the fugitives to the United States, where they would forfeit all assets linked to the crime’s proceeds.
