Fatiu Ismaila Lawal, a Nigerian man residing in Canada, was sentenced to 54 months in prison for defrauding U.S. pandemic aid programs. The sentencing took place at the U.S. District Court in Tacoma, where U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced the decision. Lawal was extradited from Canada last July and pleaded guilty in September 2024.

U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright noted that the crime involved significant planning, stating, "This took advantage of programs designed to help people who were really struggling in an international emergency."

U.S. Attorney Gorman commented on Lawal's actions: "This defendant made it his full-time job to defraud the U.S. for years before the pandemic, but he kicked it into high gear once critical aid to Americans workers was flowing." She added that his fraud harmed Washingtonians by contributing to a pause in unemployment payments due to fraudulent claims.

Records show that Lawal and co-defendant Sakiru Olanrewaju Ambali used stolen identities to file over 1,700 claims for pandemic unemployment benefits across more than 25 states, seeking around $25 million and obtaining approximately $2.7 million.

Lawal admitted to submitting claims totaling $1,345,472 using stolen identities from multiple states including New York and California. He also created internet domains and email addresses for fraudulent activities.

Between 2018 and November 2022, Lawal filed 3,000 income tax returns seeking $7.5 million in refunds using stolen personal information; however, only $30,000 was paid out by the IRS due to detected fraud.

Adam Jobes of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Seattle Field Office remarked on this aspect of the case: “While Mr. Lawal may not have secured the $7.5 million he sought from fraudulent tax refunds, each of the 3,000 returns he filed represents a life he disrupted.”

Lawal and Ambali also attempted fraud through Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) applications but were largely unsuccessful as most were caught by the Small Business Administration (SBA).

The proceeds from their fraud were directed through cash cards or "money mules," with some funds deposited directly into bank accounts opened under false identities.

Co-defendant Ambali received a sentence of 42 months in March 2024.

In arguing for a longer sentence of 65 months for Lawal, prosecutors emphasized the impact on real victims who faced difficulties accessing assistance due to fraudulent claims made under their identities during critical times.

The investigation involved several agencies including FBI and IRS-CI among others with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Cindy Chang.

The COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force continues efforts against pandemic-related frauds alongside other government agencies.

Reports of attempted COVID-19 related fraud can be submitted via DOJ's National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline or web form.