A US court has sentenced 47-year-old Nigerian Imafedia Adevokhai to 46 months in prison. He was involved in a multi-year stolen identity tax refund fraud. The fraud amounted to $4,945,886. Adevokhai conspired with two other US-based Nigerians, Michael Martin and Osazuwa Okunoghae, to steal American citizens’ identities and file fraudulent tax refund claims
The $4.9m fraud scheme involved the theft of victims’ personal identifying information. The thieves used that information to file fraudulent tax returns. The total tax refunds claimed through the fraudulent returns amounted to $4,945,886. The US Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, suffered at least $390,220.40 in actual loss.
Key Players and Roles
– Imafedia Adevokhai: Primarily responsible for preparing and filing fake tax returns.
– Michael Martin: Involved in laundering stolen funds.
– Osazuwa Okunoghae: Also involved in laundering stolen funds.
The US Department of Treasury played a role in the investigation and prosecution of the case. The Internal Revenue Service was also involved. Additionally, the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas contributed to the investigation and prosecution efforts. The government’s case against Adevokhai and his co-conspirators was based on evidence of their fraud involvement. It included their use of stolen identities to file fraudulent tax returns. They also laundered the proceeds of the fraud.
Adevokhai pleaded guilty to money laundering on February 15, 2023, and was sentenced by US District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III on April 2, 2025. He was ordered to pay $90,380.60 in restitution and $3,500 in forfeiture.
The US government is committed to prosecuting individuals involved in fraud. Acting US Attorney Abe McGlothin Jr. emphasized the impact of such crimes on individual victims, taxpayers, and financial institutions.
Identity theft is a serious crime that can have long-lasting effects on victims. In this case, the defendants stole the identities of American citizens and used them to file fraudulent tax refund claims. This type of crime can cause significant financial and emotional distress for victims.
This case highlights the importance of cybersecurity in preventing identity theft and other types of cybercrime. Individuals and organizations must take steps to protect their personal and financial information from cyber threats.
In conclusion, the sentencing of Imafedia Adevokhai to 46 months in prison for his involvement in a $4.9m fraud scheme serves as a warning to those who engage in similar activities. The US government is committed to prosecuting individuals involved in fraud and protecting the integrity of the tax system.