Nigerian, Imafedia Adevokhai, jailed in US over $4.9m fraud

A 47-year-old Nigerian, Imafedia Adevokhai, has been sentenced to 46 months in prison by a U.S. court for his role in a multi-year identity theft and tax refund fraud scheme, resulting in the theft of nearly $5 million.

This was confirmed in a statement by the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, Abe McGlothin Jr.

Adevokhai was found guilty of conspiring with two other U.S.-based Nigerians, Michael Martin and Osazuwa Okunoghae, to steal the identities of American citizens and file fraudulent tax returns to claim refunds.

According to the statement, Adevokhai was primarily responsible for preparing and filing the fake tax returns, while Martin and Okunoghae handled laundering the illicit proceeds.

The statement reads: “Evidence presented in court showed that Adevokhai, Martin, Okunoghae, and others were involved in a stolen identity refund fraud conspiracy. They used the stolen personal information of victims to file fraudulent tax returns, resulting in claims for a total of $4,945,886 in tax refunds. The actual financial loss to the U.S. Department of Treasury and the IRS was $390,220.40.”

Adevokhai, who resides in Alpharetta, Georgia, pleaded guilty to money laundering on 15 February 2023. On 2 April 2025, U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III sentenced him to prison, along with ordering restitution of $90,380.60 and forfeiture of $3,500.

Martin and Okunoghae had already been sentenced after pleading guilty to related offenses.

Michael Martin, 52, of Texarkana, Texas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy on 14 February 2023, and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison on 21 November 2023. He was also ordered to pay $90,380.60 in restitution and forfeit $121,623.41.

Osazuwa Peter Okunoghae, 46, of Houston, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy on 12 November 2019. He was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison on 13 January 2022 and ordered to pay $451,117.63 in restitution and an equal amount in forfeiture.

McGlothin reaffirmed the U.S. government’s dedication to holding individuals accountable for their involvement in fraudulent activities.

“The Eastern District of Texas remains committed to prosecuting individuals who steal personal information, file fraudulent tax returns, and launder criminal proceeds. These crimes harm individual victims whose identities are stolen, taxpayers left with the bill, and financial institutions misused in the process,” the statement concluded.