By Gwurld4026 
54 Months Jail for Nigerian Involved in $25M COVID Aid Scam
On January 28, 2025, Fatiu Ismaila Lawal, a 46-year-old Nigerian residing in Canada, was sentenced in the U.S. District Court in Tacoma, Washington, to 54 months in federal prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Lawal orchestrated a scheme to defraud U.S. pandemic aid programs, resulting in the theft of over $1 million.
According to court documents, Lawal and his accomplices submitted fraudulent applications to various pandemic relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). They used stolen identities and fabricated business information to obtain funds intended to support legitimate businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to the prison sentence, Lawal was ordered to pay restitution to the affected agencies and forfeit assets acquired through the fraudulent activities. This case underscores the ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to identify and prosecute individuals exploiting pandemic relief programs.