FBI nabs alleged Nigerian scammer ‘Bobo Chicago’ over $2.8m fraud case

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has taken 25-year-old Oliyomi Bumbata, also known as “Bobo Chicago,” into custody over allegations of orchestrating fraud schemes that defrauded individuals and businesses of a total of $2.8 million.

According to a report by SaharaReporters, Bumbata was arrested on November 20 in Chicago, Illinois, following an arrest warrant issued in Oklahoma. The warrant was based on an investigation into multiple criminal complaints surrounding his activities.

Authorities allege that Bobo Chicago initially operated in the Nigerian community within the Houston metropolitan area before relocating to Chicago. He was subsequently extradited to Oklahoma, where he faces five charges, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and illegal monetary transactions.

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These alleged crimes reportedly occurred between June and October 2023.

Investigators have linked $2.8 million in fraudulent transactions to Bumbata, who is accused of hacking into accounts belonging to companies and individuals in Oklahoma’s Eastern District. They also allege he transferred over $300,000 to a well-known liquor store, implicating the business’s owner in the process.

Bumbata’s alleged co-conspirator has also been detained, though further details about their involvement have not been disclosed.

U.S. District Court Judge Beth Jantz in Illinois has approved Bumbata’s transfer to Oklahoma to face the charges. He has been assigned a public defender after claiming he cannot afford legal representation, suggesting he may opt to accept a plea deal rather than contest the charges.

This arrest is part of the FBI’s broader crackdown on fraud schemes involving high-profile individuals, particularly within the Nigerian community. Many have already been convicted and are serving prison sentences for similar offenses, highlighting the agency’s efforts to tackle financial crimes targeting U.S. businesses.

(SAHARAREPORTERS)