The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced the arrest of Rotimi Oladimeji, a Nigerian national with a history of involvement in romance scams. Oladimeji was previously convicted in December 2023 for his role in a $1.2 million romance scam that targeted a woman in the St. Louis area ¹.
Details of the Scam
According to court documents, Oladimeji and his accomplices created a fake online persona, claiming to be a veterinarian and animal behaviorist, to deceive the victim into sending nearly $1.17 million. The scammers used various tactics, including false claims of needing money for visa fees, medical expenses, and other emergencies, to manipulate the victim ².
Arrest and Charges
Oladimeji was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay over $1.1 million in restitution. ICE New Orleans arrested him, citing his criminal history, which includes mail and wire fraud ².
Similar Cases
This arrest comes on the heels of other notable cases involving Nigerian nationals accused of romance scams in the U.S. For instance, Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, a 40-year-old Nigerian national, was arrested in November 2024 for allegedly defrauding multiple U.S. citizens out of over $3.3 million. Nwadialo posed as a U.S. military officer deployed overseas and used fake stories to manipulate victims into sending money ³.
Implications
The arrest of Oladimeji and other individuals involved in romance scams highlights the ongoing efforts of U.S. law enforcement agencies to combat financial crimes and protect citizens from falling victim to such schemes. Romance scams can have devastating financial and emotional consequences for victims, making it essential for authorities to stay vigilant and proactive in pursuing perpetrators ³.
