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The Kansas Attorney General’s Office has successfully thwarted a Nigerian national, Bimbo Toyin Akinyemi, from defrauding a Kansas resident of cryptocurrency. This was revealed in a report by BitKE, a leading source for Bitcoin, crypto, and blockchain news in Africa. The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) and the FBI also played crucial roles in the investigation.
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Akinyemi had promised the victim a large return on a cryptocurrency investment, according to court documents. On July 15, 2023, Akinyemi entered into a contract with the victim, asking them to purchase Bitcoin and deposit it into Akinyemi’s “investment wallet.” The victims were offered promises of returns ranging from $500 to $1,240. Exploiting the victim’s lack of knowledge about cryptocurrencies, Akinyemi falsely claimed that depositing the funds would activate the investment account. Once the deposits were made, Akinyemi transferred the funds to his personal account.
Authorities revealed that Akinyemi sent the victim a fraudulent $1,000 cheque, which was never cashed. The Kansas Attorney General’s Office confirmed that the victim is entitled to a refund of their $250 investment. Akinyemi is also liable for $50,000 in civil penalties for five violations, $4,000 in investigation fees, and additional court costs.
During the investigation, authorities seized half of a Bitcoin valued at over $28,900 and other digital currencies worth more than $4,000 from Akinyemi’s wallet. A Kansas judge issued a default judgment after Akinyemi failed to respond to the court summons, banning him from participating in consumer transactions within the state.
“Cryptocurrency is a borderless asset, making it easier for international scammers to target Kansans,” said First Assistant Attorney General Nathanial Castillo, warning residents to be cautious before sending cryptocurrency payments online.
