David Daniyan, a 60-year-old Nigerian citizen residing in Brooklyn, New York, has pleaded guilty to charges related to bank fraud and money laundering conspiracies. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Daniel Hanlon and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Daniyan admitted his involvement in a scheme led by Oluwaseun Adekoya, 39, also a Nigerian citizen from Cliffside Park, New Jersey. The scheme involved using stolen personal information and fake driver's licenses to impersonate individuals across the United States. This allowed them to obtain cash, checks, loans, and merchandise fraudulently.
The conspiracy reportedly generated over $1.7 million in fraudulent proceeds and took place not only in the Northern District of New York but nationwide. Daniyan's activities included recruiting others to assist in these fraudulent acts and laundering the obtained funds through various means.
Adekoya faces multiple charges including conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Other individuals charged include Kani Bassie from Brooklyn; Davon Hunter, Jermon Brooks, Christian Quivers from Richmond; and Crystal Kurschner from Brooklyn.
These defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty as per the legal proceedings. The investigation leading to these charges began following Daniyan's arrest alongside Gaysha Kennedy and Victor Barriera in May 2022 by Cohoes Police Department.
Additional individuals involved have previously pleaded guilty to related charges following an indictment returned in December 2023.
Daniyan is scheduled for sentencing on July 10, 2025. He faces significant prison time for his crimes: up to 30 years for bank fraud conspiracy, 20 years for money laundering conspiracy, plus an additional mandatory two years for aggravated identity theft. He also agreed to restitution exceeding $1.7 million and forfeiture of nearly $100,000 seized by federal authorities.
Post-imprisonment, Daniyan will be subject to immigration removal proceedings.
The FBI Albany leads this ongoing investigation with assistance from several other FBI field offices across different states and numerous law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark and Joshua R. Rosenthal are handling the prosecution of this case.
