BREAKING NEWS: US Court Jails Nigerian Man, Abiola Quadri, 11 Years for $1.3M COVID-19 Fraud in California and Nevada

In a ruling that adds yet another name to the growing list of Nigerians convicted in transnational fraud schemes, a United States federal court has sentenced Abiola Quadri, a Nigerian national, to 11 years in prison for his role in a multi-million-dollar COVID-19 benefits scam that rocked the states of California and Nevada at the height of the global pandemic.

According to court documents and statements from U.S. prosecutors, Quadri orchestrated a sophisticated operation that siphoned off over $1.3 million in unemployment and disability insurance benefits meant for Americans hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis. The funds, which were intended to support struggling citizens during lockdowns and job losses, were instead funneled into fraudulent accounts through fake identities, forged documents, and international money laundering networks.

The U.S. Department of Justice said Quadri submitted hundreds of false claims between 2020 and 2021 using stolen Social Security numbers and synthetic identities to exploit weaknesses in the emergency relief systems of both California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) and Nevada’s Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR). Authorities also revealed that he used the stolen money to fund a lavish lifestyle, including luxury purchases, electronics, and wire transfers abroad.

The presiding judge, while handing down the 11-year sentence, described the crime as “a heartless exploitation of a national crisis.” He added that Quadri’s actions not only robbed U.S. taxpayers but also delayed assistance for thousands of legitimate applicants who were desperately waiting for relief during the economic downturn.

Quadri, who was arrested after an extensive investigation involving the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, showed little remorse during trial proceedings, further fueling public outrage. Investigators say his arrest was part of a larger crackdown on pandemic fraud, with over 500 individuals already charged across the U.S. and several international investigations still underway.

Reactions to the sentencing have flooded social media, with many users in Nigeria expressing mixed feelings — while some condemned the act and called for stronger moral values among Nigerian youths abroad, others expressed concern that incidents like this continue to tarnish the country’s global image. “One man’s greed just dragged our name through the mud again,” a tweet read. Another user posted, “These fraudsters are ruining future opportunities for law-abiding Nigerians.”

U.S. officials have reiterated their commitment to track down and prosecute every single case of pandemic-related fraud, regardless of nationality. They also confirmed that restitution and asset forfeiture proceedings are already in motion to recover stolen funds from Quadri and any identified accomplices.

As Quadri begins his 11-year sentence in a U.S. federal prison, the case serves as yet another stark warning that the long arm of the law does not stop at borders — and justice, especially in matters of public funds, will always find its way home.