Nigerian fraud ring siphons $2.7m from grieving widows

A metro Atlanta man has been convicted of laundering $2.7 million stolen from vulnerable victims, many of them grieving widows, through a Nigerian-linked romance scam network.

Atlanta News First reports that Babajide Adesayo, 41, was found guilty on all counts after an eight-day trial, including money laundering charges tied to funds routed overseas mainly to Nigeria.

Victims, including widow Edie Ramirez, who lost $500,000, described being manipulated into secret online relationships before being pressured for escalating sums under fabricated emergencies.

Federal prosecutors linked the funds to Nigerian national Efemena Igbe, who allegedly transferred proceeds through Adesayo’s accounts disguised as car purchases.

Adesayo faces up to 20 years in prison and is scheduled for sentencing on November 20.