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Fraud

Nigerian Socialite Jailed for 11 Years, Ordered to Pay $1.356 Million for COVID-19 Scam

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

United States District Judge George H. Wu handed down a severe sentence to Nigerian socialite Abiola Femi Quadri, who orchestrated a $1.3 million scam targeting California and Nevada's COVID-19 pandemic unemployment and disability insurance benefits. Quadri, a 43-year-old permanent US resident living in Pasadena, was arrested on September 20, 2024, and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud on January 2, 2025. The US Attorney's Office, Central District of California, disclosed the details of the case in a statement issued on Thursday.

Key Takeaways:

  • Quadri was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $1,356,229 in restitution and a $35,000 fine.
  • He submitted over 100 fraudulent applications using stolen identities, resulting in the misappropriation of $1.3 million in COVID-19 pandemic unemployment and disability insurance benefits.
  • Quadri used the stolen benefits to build a nightclub and mall in Nigeria and acquire a 120-room resort hotel called Oyins International.
  • The investigation found images of 17 counterfeit checks totaling more than $3.3 million on Quadri's phone, along with messages about negotiating the checks.
  • Quadri was found to have failed to disclose his ownership of the hotel when completing his financial disclosure to the court.
  • During the scheme, Quadri sent at least $500,000 abroad and paid for the construction of the hotel using the stolen funds.
  • A search of Quadri's residence revealed misappropriated food-aid debit cards belonging to developmentally disabled children whose daycare services he was paid to provide through his Altadena-based business, Rock of Peace.
  • Quadri's permanent residency was acquired through a 'fake wedding' with a woman who was not his real wife.

Statistics:

  • $1,356,229 in restitution ordered by the court.
  • $35,000 fine imposed on Quadri.
  • 91 Americans' Personal Identifying Information (PII), including Social Security Numbers (SSNs), were stolen and used in the scheme.
  • $1,300,000 in COVID-19 pandemic unemployment and disability insurance benefits were misappropriated between 2020 and 2024.
  • 17 counterfeit checks totaling more than $3.3 million were found on Quadri's phone.

Sources:

  • US Attorney's Office, Central District of California
  • United States District Court for the Central District of California
  • Criminal complaint filed on September 19.

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