Nigerian Socialite Arrested for Stealing $1.1 Million in COVID-19 and Disability Benefits Using Stolen Identities
Femi Quadri, a 43-year-old Nigerian socialite, has been arrested by U.S. authorities for allegedly stealing the identities of 91 Americans to fraudulently claim COVID-19 and disability benefits. He was apprehended just hours before he was scheduled to fly to Dubai, a move that authorities believe was meant to evade prosecution.
A criminal complaint filed on September 19, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California outlines how Quadri orchestrated the scheme, using stolen personal identifying information (PII) including Social Security Numbers (SSNs) to fraudulently apply for unemployment, disability, and COVID-19 benefits between 2020 and 2024.
The California Employment Development Department (EDD), which provides benefits to eligible individuals, issued debit cards to beneficiaries of unemployment and disability claims. Investigators revealed that Quadri applied for these benefits using stolen identities, submitting forged certifications from stolen doctors’ identities. These debit cards, which carried no daily withdrawal limit, were then used by Quadri to withdraw funds, sometimes under multiple false identities.
According to EDD investigator Ivant Romo, Quadri defrauded 19 disabled Americans, collecting over $200,000 in disability benefits. Additionally, he stole approximately $881,000 from 72 unemployment claims, bringing his total theft to an estimated $1.1 million.
Surveillance footage from Bank of America, where the EDD funds were stored, showed Quadri using multiple cards issued to different individuals to withdraw funds. Investigators were able to identify him after reviewing footage from several transactions and connecting his image to known photos from his social media profiles.
The investigation also revealed that Quadri had falsified doctor’s signatures for claims, with Dr. Lai, one of the doctors supposedly certifying the claims, confirming that he had never signed any of the fraudulent documents.
Quadri’s involvement in the fraud scheme extended beyond the U.S. As investigators traced his financial activities, they found that he had wired over $500,000 to four Chinese companies, suggesting that he may have used the funds for other illicit activities.
Authorities also identified Roland Iwhiwhu Otega, a co-conspirator, who fled the U.S. shortly after investigators raided his apartment in August 2023. Materials linked to the identity theft were found at Otega’s residence, establishing his involvement in the scheme.
Since Quadri is a permanent resident in the U.S. but not a full citizen, he faces the possibility of deportation after his conviction. The theft of over $10,000 qualifies his offense as an aggravated felony, carrying significant penalties, including loss of his immigration status.
Quadri is facing charges of aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, and bank fraud, and is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals. His arraignment is scheduled for October 29, 2024, before Judge Jean P. Rosenbluth. If convicted, Quadri faces severe penalties, including a lengthy prison sentence and the loss of his U.S. residency.
