PHOENIX, Ariz. (KVOA) – Kingsley Sebastian Ibhadore, a 40-year-old Nigerian citizen living in Glendale, has been sentenced to 17 months in prison for his role in a money-laundering scheme connected to online romance scams.
Ibhadore pleaded guilty to Conspiring to Commit Structuring after withdrawing over $500,000 in small amounts to avoid federal transaction reporting thresholds, officials said.
Acting as a “money mule,” Ibhadore moved fraud proceeds through 24 bank accounts opened under false names, making it difficult for authorities to trace the source of the funds. His actions helped disguise money obtained through romance scams, in which fraudsters gain victims’ trust online and convince them to send money under false pretenses—such as fake emergencies or investment opportunities.
Between July 2019 and March 2020, Ibhadore used fraudulent identities to open and access accounts across Arizona, deliberately withdrawing funds in amounts just below the federal limit that would trigger bank scrutiny. Authorities said he continued these actions even after knowing the funds were fraudulent.
Surveillance footage captured Ibhadore performing transactions at major banks under false identities. The United States Secret Service led the investigation, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen Brook and Raymond Woo.
