US Court Sentences Nigerian To 11 Years For $1.3 million Million COVID-19 Fraud.
A United States District Court has sentenced Abiola Femi Quadri, a 43-year-old Nigerian residing in Pasadena, California, to over 11 years in federal prison for orchestrating a sophisticated fraud scheme that siphoned $1.3 million (£1 million) in COVID-19 unemployment and disability insurance benefits from California and Nevada. The sentencing, delivered by Judge George H. Wu on 10 July 2025, also mandates Quadri to pay $1,356,229 in restitution and a $35,000 fine, marking a significant crackdown on pandemic-related fraud.
Quadri, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud on 2 January, submitted over 100 fraudulent applications using stolen identities between 2021 and his arrest in September 2024 at Los Angeles International Airport. According to court documents, he withdrew the illicit funds via ATMs, funnelling at least $500,000 abroad to finance the construction of Oyins International, a 120-room luxury resort hotel in Nigeria complete with a nightclub and shopping mall. The United States Attorney’s Office revealed that Quadri concealed his ownership of the hotel in financial disclosures to the court, further compounding his deceit.
The scheme extended beyond financial gain, as investigators uncovered evidence of Quadri’s misuse of his Altadena-based daycare business, Rock of Peace. During a search of his residence, federal agents found misappropriated food-aid debit cards intended for developmentally disabled children. Additionally, Quadri’s phone contained images of 17 counterfeit cheques totalling over $3.3 million, alongside messages discussing their negotiation, some linked to fictitious companies registered under his aliases.
The investigation, led by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the California Employment Development Department’s Investigation Division, underscored the scale of Quadri’s operation. Assistant US Attorney Andrew Brown, who prosecuted the case, highlighted the audacity of the fraud, which exploited vulnerable systems during a global crisis. The sentencing reflects the US government’s resolve to pursue justice and recover stolen funds, as echoed in online discussions praising the coordinated efforts of law enforcement.
Quadri, a Nigerian citizen who gained US permanent residency through what he described as a “fake wedding” in messages to a woman who was not his wife, now faces 135 months behind bars. The case has sparked varied reactions, with some social media posts in Nigeria expressing dismay over the reputational impact, while others commend the US authorities for their vigilance. As the nation continues to address the fallout from pandemic-era fraud, Quadri’s conviction serves as a stark reminder of the consequences awaiting those who exploit emergency relief systems for personal gain.