The Nigerian who was brought to US from Ghana on Monday, was alleged to be involved in a worldwide scheme that allegedly defrauded US and Canadian citizens, travel agencies of an estimated $2 million.
His arrest was said to have been the result of a 10-month investigation by US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), United States Secret Service, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police, with support from authorities in Ghana.
A statement from the US Bureau of Diplomatic Security Services said other agencies and countries that assisted in the investigation include the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the United Kingdom’s Serious Organised Crime Agency, the US Department of Education Inspector General’s Office, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Amtrak Police Department, US Postal Inspection Service, the Columbus, Ohio Police Department, and the Alexandria, Virginia Police Department.
The statement, which noted that Ghanaian authorities had confirmed that Adegoke is a Nigerian citizen, said the suspect managed the crime ring from Ghana, and had been indicted on multiple federal counts of wire fraud, identity theft, access device fraud, and conspiracy in the Eastern District of Virginia.
"The Government of Ghana expelled Adegoke to the United States. He was flown to New York today (Monday) and will be prosecuted in the Eastern District of Virginia," the statement said, adding, "if the suspect is convicted, the US government could potentially seize several international bank accounts and the nearly $700,000 they contain."
On the mode of operation of the crime ring, the statement said: “First, the group purchased stolen credit card account numbers. Second, they electronically manipulated the credit card numbers onto computer images of credit cards. Third, they emailed those images, along with fraudulent passport and driver’s license information, to travel agencies to facilitate the purchase of airline tickets to the United States. And fourth, they sold the tickets to travelers.”
The statement said Ghanaian Police arrested Adegoke on May 5, and that investigators from DSS and the Secret Service worked closely with the Ghanaian Police Service’s Criminal Investigation Division to track him down. It also said CBP’s Criminal Enforcement Unit at JFK International Airport conducted multiple interviews with those suspected of purchasing the tickets on stolen credit cards to gain more information.
Quoting Todd Brown, Special Agent in Charge of Diplomatic Security’s Washington Field Office, the statement said: “This has been a particularly complex investigation that has required the expertise and talent of numerous US and international law enforcement agencies and personnel.”
Also Jeffrey Irvine, Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service’s Washington Field Office, was quoted as saying, “The methods criminals use to commit financial crimes have evolved significantly over the last several years,” and that cooperation among US agencies makes it possible for quick response to uncover criminal activity like the one involving Adegoke and prevent additional financial fraud.”
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