Nigerian man arraigned by FBI for $25M US benefit theft

One of two Nigerian citizens residing in Canada, who allegedly defrauded the pandemic unemployment benefit programs in multiple states, made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Tacoma on Friday.

Sakiru Olanrewaju Ambali, 45 was arrested in February 2023 in Germany, as he traveled back to Canada from Nigeria. Ambali had been detained in Germany pending extradition. He arrived in the Western District of Washington on Friday.

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Ambali & codefendant Fatiu Ismaila Lawal, 45 are accused of using the stôlen identities of thousands of Americans to submit over 1,700 claims for pandemic unemployment benefits to over 25 different states, including Washington State.

According to the indictment, Lawal & Ambali used the stôlen personal information of thousands of U.S taxpayers & residents to file fraudulent claims for COVID-19 pandemic assistance & false tax returns seeking refunds.