At least 30 Nigerians on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “Worst of the Worst” deportation portal are linked to financial fraud schemes worth more than N86.8 billion ($62 million) in confirmed losses, restitution orders, and intended losses, an analysis of U.S. court records shows.
The review of Public Access to Court Electronic Records, PACER, found the 30 individuals among 124 Nigerians currently listed on DHS’s public registry of foreign nationals marked for removal from the United States. Financial crimes dominate the list, accounting for 77 of the 124 entries — about 62% — while court records were unavailable for 47 others.
–The big cases: Ugbah, Okeke, Ogunshakin–
Three convictions account for nearly half of the total fraud value:
1. Richard Ugbah — Sentenced to 12 years in November 2017 for a romance scam and business email compromise, BEC, scheme. The court found intended losses of at least $12.9 million, with actual losses likely higher. In 2023 Ugbah asked the ECOWAS Court of Justice to serve his term in Nigeria. The court dismissed it for lack of jurisdiction.
2. Obinwanne Okeke — Serving 10 years for an $11 million BEC scheme that targeted U.S. companies. The case became one of the FBI’s most cited examples of Nigerian cyber-fraud networks.
3. Alex Ogunshakin — Extradited from Nigeria after 3+ years on the FBI Cyber Most Wanted list. Sentenced October 2024. Prosecutors documented over $6 million in confirmed losses and more than $30 million in attempted fraud.
–Wire fraud and laundering dominate–
Wire fraud appeared in 27 charge entries, making it the most common offence. Other charges: fraud-related crimes 33, money laundering 18, identity theft 13, forgery/counterfeiting 8, mail fraud 7. Investigators said wire fraud and money laundering often appeared together, reflecting how syndicates layer transactions to hide proceeds.
–Other high-value convictions–
–Uche Diuno: 60 months, May 2024. Described himself as “chairman” of an advance-fee fraud syndicate that hit victims in 20+ countries. Losses: ∼$5.7 million.
—Oludayo Adeagbo: 7 years for a BEC operation with losses exceeding $5 million.
–Olaniyi Ojikutu: 88 months for laundering $3.4 million in romance scam proceeds through nearly 25 bank accounts. Fled to Canada after indictment, arrested 7 months later and extradited.
–Chibundu Anuebunwa: 66 months for a $2.5 million BEC scheme.
–Benjamin Ifebajo: 10 years for $2.1 million email fraud.
–Sakiru Ambali*: 42 months after more than $2.4 million passed through his accounts.
–Yusuf Bakare and Quazeem Adeyinka: COVID-19 unemployment insurance fraud, $2.27 million. Bakare got 4 years 9 months; Adeyinka 26 months.
–Oluwole Odunowo: 54 months for IRS fraud causing $11.6 million in losses. Ordered to pay $402,846 restitution.
–Toluwani Adebakin: Former collegiate athlete, 36 months, April 2024. Laundered proceeds from romance and military impersonation scams. 100+ victims sent $820,000+ to Nigeria.
–Bameyi Omale: 135 months for romance/investment fraud laundering in Texas.
–Okechukwu Amadi: 11 years 3 months tied to Black Axe. Ordered to forfeit $833,625 and pay $1.35 million restitution.
–Isaiah Okere: Also linked to Black Axe. Convicted in BEC and romance fraud case with $1m+ losses, awaiting sentencing.
–Oriyomi Aloba: 145 months for hacking Los Angeles Superior Court system and sending 2 million phishing emails. Restitution: $47,479.
–List is growing fast–
DHS launched the “Worst of the Worst” portal Dec 8, 2025. Nigeria’s entries grew from 79 in February 2026 → 97 → 113 → now 124.
A separate DHS West Africa enforcement sweep added 110 more Nigerians to the U.S. removal queue out of 355 individuals. Nigeria led the region, followed by Liberia 94, Ghana 30, Senegal 19.
Arrests cut across 26 U.S. states + D.C. Texas had the most: 29. Maryland 14, Pennsylvania 8, California 8, Georgia 8, Louisiana 7, Illinois 6, Florida 5. Many were processed for deportation while still in federal prison. Oakdale FCI Louisiana had 8; Yazoo City FCI Mississippi had the bulk of Mississippi cases.
–Beyond fraud: violence, sex, drug cases–
28 Nigerians were listed for violent offences: aggravated assault, robbery, kidnapping.
– Olayinka A. Jones, South Carolina: only manslaughter entry.
– Donald Ehie, Adeyinka Ademokunla, Ifeanyi Okoro: kidnapping. Okoro’s record also includes robbery + sexual assault.
– Ibrahim Ijaoba, Colorado: escape, armed robbery, assault. DHS flagged alleged Bloods gang affiliation.
15 were listed for sexual offences, including 5 involving minors. Abayomi Daramola was listed for allegedly enticing a minor online. Cletus Onyali faces rape, assault, child sex offences, child cruelty.
9 were listed for drug crimes: heroin trafficking/distribution, cocaine smuggling, customs violations.
DHS admitted in February 2026 that ∼5% of portal entries had technical errors. Some listed as “violent” had only minor offences. Examples: Adetunji Olofinlade — DUI only; Olamide Jolayemi— computer offences and DUI.
–Nigeria’s stance–
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar said Nigeria would receive citizens who violated foreign laws, but deportations must be “humane and dignified”.
He rejected proposals for Nigeria to take third-country deportees, citing domestic pressure from a 230m+ population.
In May 2026, the U.S. signed a third-country deportation deal with Sierra Leone: $1.5m for Sierra Leone to accept up to 300 West African deportees annually. Some Nigerians have already been removed under it.
–Context–
The concentration of financial crime cases underscores why BEC, romance scams, and wire fraud remain top priorities for U.S. prosecutors and Nigerian anti-graft agencies. With DHS updating the portal regularly and West Africa sweeps expanding, the number of Nigerians on the removal list is expected to rise as more cases are adjudicated.
