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A 34-year-old Nigerian man, Adepoju Babtunde Salako, has been sentenced to 78 months in prison in the United States after pleading guilty to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges.
The announcement was made on March 4, 2026, by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. As part of his plea deal, Salako, who lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, also admitted guilt to seven counts of wire fraud in Alaska. He was ordered to pay $2,581,002.50 in restitution to his victims.
According to prosecutors, Salako played a central role in a conspiracy throughout 2021 that defrauded more than $5 million from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, and 30 state unemployment programs through multiple schemes.
In one plan, Salako and his co-conspirators used stolen identities to fraudulently secure PPP loans, unemployment benefits, and EIDL loans. In another scheme, primarily coordinated from Nigeria, the group enlisted victims of romance scams to obtain government funds. Salako’s role was to receive the money from these victims and the government, then launder the proceeds—mainly to China and Nigeria—charging a fee of about 25 percent.
“Mr. Salako and his criminal associates exploited innocent people and stole millions of dollars from American taxpayers,” said Peter McNeilly, U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado. “This sentence shows that fraudsters will face serious consequences for their actions.”
Amanda Prestegard, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS-CI Denver Field Office, added:
“Salako was the point man in the U.S. for an international criminal organization that preyed on honest business owners and taxpayers, while also jeopardizing our national security. Today’s sentence reflects the great work of our special agents and law enforcement partners.”
Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the USPS Office of Inspector General (Northeast Area Field Office), also emphasized the message this case sends:
“The sentence imposed stands as a clear warning that serious consequences await anyone who exploits government resources to commit criminal acts.”
The investigation was carried out by the IRS Criminal Investigation Denver Field Office, USPS OIG, and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The sentencing was presided over by U.S. District Judge Charlotte N. Sweeny.
This case serves as a stark reminder that COVID-19 relief fraud and international money laundering are taken very seriously by U.S. authorities, and perpetrators will face heavy penalties.
