By Muhammad Mamman
The United States has begun the prosecution of Nigerian national Olamide Shanu, who was extradited from the United Kingdom to face charges linked to cyber-enabled fraud schemes worth at least $2 million.
Shanu, 34, from Lagos, appeared before Magistrate Judge Debora K. Grasham in the District of Idaho last Wednesday. He faces an eight-count indictment including wire fraud conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, cyberstalking, money laundering, and multiple extortion charges.
US authorities allege that Shanu and his accomplices posed as women on social media to deceive male victims into sharing explicit images, which they later threatened to expose unless paid. The indictment also accuses the group of running romance scams and funnelling illicit proceeds through peer-to-peer platforms and cryptocurrency wallets before moving funds to Nigeria.
Prosecutors say the scheme defrauded victims across the US, including a college student in Idaho, and generated over $2 million. If convicted, Shanu could face up to 20 years in federal prison in addition to restitution orders.
Shanu was arrested in London in November 2023 following a US indictment and remained in custody until his recent extradition. Acting US Attorney Justin Whatcott praised the cooperation of the US Department of Justice, the State Department, and the UK’s National Crime Agency in securing his transfer.
The case is being investigated by the US Secret Service and Boise Police, with Assistant US Attorneys Brittney Campbell and Sean Mazorol, alongside CCIPS Trial Attorney Vasantha Rao, leading the prosecution.
Officials stressed that the indictment remains an allegation, and Shanu is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
