May 12, 2010
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News: Nigerian Thieves Invade The U.S.
The life of creative identity and credit card thief began in Nigeria and moved into the United States. Opeoluwa Adigun began her life of crime while living in her home country of Nigeria. She cleverly stole the name from another person named Mary Afolabi. After moving to the U.S., she used the stolen identity to obtain a fake passport, Social Security card and the status of citizenship. Along with another Nigerian citizen, Gabriel Onyekaba, Adigun embarked on a life of crime with a string of identity and credit card thefts. Together the two also formed two fictitious businesses called GMO Auto Services and Gabmike Limousine Service in which to hide their illegal activities and credit card theft.
In an elaborate scheme, Adigun and Onyekaba would obtain fraudulent loans and deposit the proceeds into bank accounts and then issue checks to the two fictitious businesses. Adigun worked as a U.S. Postal mail delivery employee. While on her route, she was able to steal the personal information from over 80 people. According to the U.S. Attorney's office, Adigun and Onyekaba used the stolen identities to open fraudulent credit card accounts, open up fake bank accounts and obtain illegal loans. The two would often use the illegal credit cards to purchase gift cards and other merchandise which led to their arrest.
When authorities arrested the two thieves, they discovered dozens of illegally obtained American Express, Wal-Mart and Target gift cards. The U.S. Postal Service along with the U.S. Secret Service, the Paulding, Douglas and Cobb counties of Georgia Sheriff's Departments and the Hiram and Cobb County Police Department all worked together in the investigation and arrest of the two thieve. A Federal grand jury indicted Adigun and Onyekaba. Both were brought before the Federal magistrate on numerous charges including conspiracy and identity theft. Adigun is charged with using a fake name to acquire employment at the Hiram, Post Office. Altogether, the grand jury indicted the two on 46 counts including immigration, Social Security and passport fraud; conspiracy, access device or credit card fraud, aggravated identity theft, bank fraud, mail theft, immigration fraud, social security fraud, and passport fraud. They face up to 60 years in prison.