In a shocking development, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has reached out to Nigeria’s foremost anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking the arrest of two Nigerians, Shodiya Babatunde and Yinka Ahmed. The duo is accused of orchestrating an elaborate $13 million scam targeting American healthcare providers through the use of fraudulent websites.
The news, first broken by GazetteNGR and shared via the official X handle of Nigerian Stories, has sent ripples through both Nigerian and international circles. According to reports, Babatunde and Ahmed allegedly set up fake websites to impersonate legitimate healthcare organizations, deceiving U.S. providers into wiring funds into accounts under their control.
The scale of the alleged fraud, amounting to a staggering $13 million, has raised serious concerns about the growing sophistication of cybercrime networks and the increasing involvement of Nigerians in such schemes. The FBI’s involvement signals the severity of the case and emphasizes the need for swift action from Nigerian authorities to apprehend the suspects.
In its post, Nigerian Stories underscored the FBI’s formal request for the EFCC to intervene, emphasizing the urgency of bringing the culprits to justice. The EFCC, known for its relentless crackdown on cybercriminals, is now under pressure to collaborate with international authorities to arrest Babatunde and Ahmed, who remain at large.
The fraudulent activities of these individuals have not only tarnished Nigeria’s reputation but also further highlighted the global menace of cyber fraud, particularly in sectors as vital as healthcare, which is still recovering from the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the story develops, many are awaiting the EFCC’s response, with hopes that this cross-border collaboration between the FBI and Nigerian authorities will serve as a deterrent to other would-be cybercriminals.
PIONEER NEWS 