PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Nigerian citizen, Samuel Olasunkanmi Abiodun, 25, has been sentenced to five years in prison for his involvement in a money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud, stemming from a sextortion scheme that ultimately led to the death of a young victim in Pennsylvania. U.S. District Judge Joel H. Slomsky handed down the sentence on Tuesday.
Abiodun pleaded guilty to the charges last December. Prosecutors stated that he served as a financial middleman in the scheme, which extorted money from the victim under threats, leading to psychological trauma and later tragedy for the family involved.
Co-defendant Imoleayo Samuel Aina, 27, known as “Alice Dave,” also pleaded guilty to related charges, including cyberstalking and extortion, and faces sentencing in August, where he could face a maximum of lifetime imprisonment. A third defendant, Afeez Olatunji Adewale, 25, remains in Nigeria awaiting extradition to face charges of wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.
Abiodun and Aina were arrested in their home country in July 2024, following an investigation by the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. They were later extradited to the U.S. with the cooperation of Nigerian authorities, including the nation’s Attorney General and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
“This sentencing delivers a powerful message: those who exploit others through sextortion will be held accountable, no matter where they try to hide,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division.
U.S. Attorney David Metcalf emphasized the devastating impact of the crime, stating, “These scammers’ sole aim is to get money from scared and vulnerable young people, with absolutely no regard for their feelings or the potential fallout. This case demonstrates that the Department of Justice’s reach is long.”
The case, a collaborative effort involving the FBI, Abington Township Police Department, and international law enforcement, underscores a strong commitment to protect vulnerable individuals and hold perpetrators of such heinous crimes accountable.
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