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The Southern California man has been sentenced to prison for fraudulent government over $1.3 million through a scheme targeting Covid-19 unemployment and disability benefits.
The man was identified as 43-year-old Abiola Femi Quadri from Pasadena, according to the US Lawyer’s Office.
According to court documents, Quadri is a Nigerian citizen and has earned permanent residence in the United States through what he described as a “fake wedding” in a message sent to a woman who was not his wife.
While Quadri lived in San Gabriel Valley from 2021 to 2024, he claimed Covid unemployment and disability insurance benefits by filing over 100 fraudulent claims using his stolen identity. Prosecutors said the applications were filed in both California and Nevada.
Through this scheme, he raised over $1.3 million. He used the stolen funds to pay for Nigeria’s commercial development. This includes the construction of a 120-room resort hotel called Oyin’s International. The property also includes nightclubs, malls and additional high-end amenities, court documents say.
On Quadri’s mobile phone, investigators found 17 counterfeit check photos, totaling over $3.3 million, along with messages about negotiating the check.
Some checks were also paid for Shell Business, which is held under the name of Quadri alias, according to the prosecutor.
In September 2024, Quadri was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport, where he planned to board a flight to Nigeria.
In his California application, Quadri fraudulently informed federal officials that he provided day care services to children with developmental disabilities through the Altadena Company, known as the Rock of Peace.
“When the agents searched Quadri’s residence, they found a misappropriated Food Aid debit card for the child,” authorities said.
On January 2nd, he pleaded guilty to one count of a conspiracy to commit bank fraud. On July 10th, he was sentenced to 135 months in prison for the crime. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $1,356,229 and $35,000 in compensation.
The lawsuit was investigated by the US Postal Service, Homeland Security Investigation, and the California Employment Development Investigation Division.
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