A federal jury in the United States has convicted a 41 year old Nigerian national of laundering more than $2.7 million stolen from vulnerable victims of romance scams, in a case that highlights the growing sophistication of international cybercrime networks targeting elderly Americans. Babajide Adesayo, who resided in Douglasville, Georgia, was found guilty on August 6 following an eight day trial that exposed the intricate web of financial manipulation behind one of the most emotionally devastating forms of online fraud.
Adesayo faces 18 separate convictions, including two counts of conspiracy to commit money laundering and 16 counts of transactional money laundering. According to the United States Department of Justice, the elaborate scheme operated between April 2020 and September 2021, when fraudsters systematically targeted elderly victims through carefully cultivated online relationships. Scammers posed as romantic partners, trusted friends, or legitimate business associates before gradually coaxing their victims into sending money for fabricated emergencies ranging from medical expenses and business equipment to alleged injuries and even false imprisonment claims.
Court evidence revealed that victims, many of whom depleted retirement savings and other personal funds, were instructed to send substantial sums to business accounts controlled by Adesayo’s co-defendant, Efemena Igbe, also a Nigerian national. Igbe allegedly disguised the illicit transfers as legitimate vehicle purchase payments from Adesayo’s automobile business, creating a veneer of commercial legitimacy to mask the criminal enterprise. Once the funds landed in accounts tied to his automotive ventures, Adesayo quickly moved the money through international channels, sending proceeds to accounts in China, Hong Kong, Nigeria, and other countries beyond the immediate reach of American law enforcement.
Perhaps most audaciously, prosecutors presented evidence that Adesayo continued his money laundering activities even after his arrest in June 2024, apparently undeterred by the serious federal charges pending against him. Over the 17 month period when the scheme was most active, more than $2.7 million flowed through his network of accounts and businesses. Some victims sent money directly to Adesayo’s business accounts, while others routed funds through intermediary accounts before the proceeds eventually reached him. Authorities noted that Adesayo typically withdrew or transferred the money within a short time after receiving it, a pattern consistent with deliberate efforts to move illicit funds quickly to avoid detection and seizure.
Federal authorities revoked his bond after uncovering his alleged post arrest criminal activity, and Adesayo has remained in federal custody since March 2 of this year. His sentencing is scheduled for November 20 before United States District Judge Mark H. Cohen, where he faces potentially severe consequences. Each conspiracy conviction carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while each of the 16 transactional money laundering counts could result in up to 10 years. Additionally, prosecutors are seeking a consecutive sentence of up to 10 years for offenses allegedly committed while Adesayo was released on bond, though the final determination will rest with the court after consideration of federal sentencing guidelines.
Romance scams have emerged as one of the fastest growing and most financially damaging forms of cybercrime in recent years, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting that Americans lost nearly $1.3 billion to such schemes in 2022 alone. Victims often experience not only severe financial losses but profound emotional trauma from the betrayal of trust. Cases like Adesayo’s underscore the international nature of these criminal networks and the sophisticated money laundering infrastructure required to move stolen funds across borders. As federal authorities continue to crack down on these operations, the conviction sends a clear message that those who facilitate romance fraud through money laundering will face serious consequences, regardless of where they attempt to hide the proceeds. Whether this prosecution will serve as a meaningful deterrent remains to be seen, but for the victims who lost their savings and trust, the verdict represents at least a measure of justice in an often devastating crime.
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