A U.S. District Court in Alabama has sentenced Babatunde Ayeni, a Nigerian internet fraudster, to 10 years in prison for his involvement in a multimillion-dollar scam. Court records from the Southern District of Alabama revealed that Ayeni pleaded guilty to fraud charges, leading to the October 31 ruling by Judge Terry Moorer.
The court ordered Ayeni to pay $19,599,969 in restitution to individuals and entities he defrauded. However, due to his inability to pay, interest on the restitution was waived. Ayeni’s co-conspirators, Feyisayo Oyindola Oginsanwo and Yusuf Olasunkanmi Lasisi, were also implicated in the case and are jointly responsible for repaying the sum.
Though Ayeni ceased his fraudulent activities in April 2019, his sentencing reflects the gravity of his crimes. Upon completing his 120-month sentence, U.S. immigration authorities will decide whether Ayeni will be deported or placed under a stringent three-year supervised release.
This case adds to a growing list of Nigerians prosecuted for internet fraud in U.S. courts, highlighting international efforts to combat cybercrime.
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