FBI seeks EFCC’s help to arrest Babatunde, Yinka over $13 million U.S. healthcare fraud
Story from Aliyu Askira, Kano
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has requested assistance from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest two Nigerian fugitives wanted for healthcare fraud in the United States.
Babatunde Shodiya and Yinka Jamiu were indicted by a grand jury at the U.S. District Court in Minnesota on September 25 for their involvement in a scheme that defrauded healthcare providers of $13 million between October 2020 and 2024.
“U.S. officials have informed us that the suspects are hiding in Nigeria. We have an obligation to honour the request of our U.S. counterparts as part of our longstanding collaboration to combat cross-border crimes,” an EFCC agent, who spoke to Peoples Gazette on condition of anonymity, said.
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According to U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger, Shodiya, and Jamiu allegedly used fake websites and email addresses to manipulate payment transfers on Optum Pay, a popular payment system among Minnesota’s healthcare providers, while pretending to represent Fairview Health.
The suspects reportedly sent emails to Fairview Health employees, deceiving them into providing login credentials. They also created a counterfeit website, fairviewhospitals.org, and posed as key hospital personnel, including the CEO, an executive vice president, and a business analyst.
In addition to the wire fraud charges, Shodiya is also charged with aggravated identity theft for impersonating Fairview executives.
“As part of the scheme, Babatunde and Jamiu created a fake, ‘spoofed’ internet domain to appear as though it was controlled by Fairview Health,” Luger said.
“In total, Babatunde and Ahmed fraudulently directed more than $13 million in payments intended for Fairview Health from Minnesota-based healthcare companies to accounts controlled by Babatunde, Ahmed, and their co-conspirators.”
If arrested, they will be extradited to the U.S. and required to forfeit all assets linked to the proceeds of the crime to American authorities.
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