California Court: Nigerian Socialite Femi Quadri Faces Fraud Charges

Femi Quadri Accused of Massive Identity Theft, COVID-19 Benefits Scam

According to the complaint, Quadri stole personal identifying information (PII), including...

Nigerian socialite Femi Quadri faces charges for alleged identity theft and COVID-19 benefit scams exceeding $10,000, threatening his immigration status and freedom.

A Nigerian socialite, Femi Quadri, 43, has been taken into custody by the US government for allegedly stealing identities of 91 American citizens to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 and disability benefits.

Quadri's arrest occurred on Friday, September 20, at approximately 9:30 a.m., just hours before his scheduled one-way flight to Dubai, UAE. US security agents suspected he aimed to evade detection by fleeing the country.

A criminal complaint filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California on September 19 alleges that Femi Quadri engaged in widespread identity theft and fraud.

According to the complaint, Quadri stole personal identifying information (PII), including Social Security numbers (SSNs), of approximately 91 Americans. He then used this stolen data to fraudulently claim disability, unemployment, and COVID-19 benefits between 2020 and 2024.

The scam exploited California's Employment Development Department (EDD) debit card program, which provided financial assistance to eligible unemployed and disabled individuals. Quadri allegedly submitted fake benefit applications using the stolen identities and forged medical certifications from compromised doctor accounts.

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) issued debit cards with unrestricted withdrawal limits to beneficiaries. These cards, valid for three years and funded by EDD through Bank of America (BoA), required activation via phone call, prompting recipients to provide their Social Security Number (SSN).

An investigation led by EDD Investigator Ivant Romeo uncovered a shocking scheme. Nigerian socialite Femi Quadri allegedly exploited 19 disabled Americans, stealing their identities to fraudulently claim over $200,000 in benefits.

EDD Investigator Ivant Romeo's scrutiny revealed striking similarities among claimants, sparking suspicion.

A thorough review of 72 Unemployment Insurance (UI) claims uncovered a staggering fraud scheme. Romeo discovered that Femi Quadri exploited stolen identities of 72 unemployed Americans, swindling the US government out of $881,192.

“EDD Investigator Ivant Romo reviewed approximately 19 DI (Disability Insurance) claims filed online under approximately 19 different identities for an approximate actual loss of $210,156 and a potential loss of approximately $436,488,” the criminal complaint stated.

Analysis of surveillance footage confirmed Femi Quadri's involvement in the fraud scheme.

Bank of America provided investigators with footage showing Quadri withdrawing cash using multiple EDD debit cards, linked to different beneficiaries.

Further investigation revealed a striking discrepancy: the individuals receiving EDD debit cards didn't match the person withdrawing funds.

EDD Investigator Ivant Romeo identified Quadri as the perpetrator, linking him to withdrawals from at least 38 accounts, including those of Michelle Davey, Ronald Tung, and Douglas Cost.

Analysis of withdrawal footage revealed Femi Quadri's involvement in the EDD debit card scam, confirming he was the individual withdrawing cash multiple times using various beneficiaries' cards.

Further evidence came from Bank of America, where EDD benefits were held, providing surveillance footage of Quadri using EDD debit cards to make withdrawals from different accounts for different individuals.

A striking discrepancy emerged - the individuals receiving EDD debit cards didn't match the person withdrawing funds, sparking investigation.

EDD Investigator Ivant Romeo identified Quadri as the perpetrator, linking him to withdrawals from at least 38 accounts, including those of Michelle Davey, Ronald Tung, and Douglas Cost.

Social media photos of Femi Quadri revealed a damning match: he wore the same clothes seen in surveillance footage of the fraudulent cash withdrawals.

Investigator Ivant Romeo personally identified Quadri on the streets, confirming his involvement in numerous fraudulent transactions.

Physician Dr. Lai disputed Quadri's alleged use of his signature, stating he hadn't certified any related documents.

Victim Michelle Davey told investigators she never applied for disability insurance benefits, yet Quadri collected $7,366 in her name.

Michelle Davey disclosed that the scammer had accessed her sensitive information, including her date of birth and Social Security Number.

Femi Quadri allegedly withdrew $19,500 using Douglas Cost's identity. Cost denied ever filing for unemployment insurance benefits or authorizing anyone to do so on his behalf.

Authorities identified Roland Iwhiwhu Otega as Quadri's co-conspirator. However, Otega evaded investigation by fleeing the US.

Otega departed for Lagos, Nigeria, just five days after investigators searched his apartment in August 2023.

A search of Roland Iwhiwhu Otega's apartment uncovered incriminating evidence linking him to identity theft. Investigators found a connection between Otega and Femi Quadri, as they shared a common victim, Rosaly Ferrer.

Femi Quadri's JP Morgan bank records revealed suspicious transactions: over $500,000 transferred to four Chinese companies - Prinx Chengshan Shandong Tire Co Ltd, Eping City Hengxin Trading Co Ltd, Prachi Exports, and Shouguang Firemax Tyre Co Ltd.

As a permanent resident, not a full US citizen, Quadri faces deportation upon conviction.

Femi Quadri, a Nigerian socialite, faces serious charges for allegedly stealing identities of 91 Americans to scam COVID-19 and disability benefits. With no family ties in the US and property ownership in Nigeria, authorities feared he'd flee, especially since his co-conspirator had already escaped.

Quadri's alleged scam exceeded $10,000, categorizing his offense as an aggravated felony. This carries severe penalties, including loss of immigration status. As a result, Quadri is scheduled for arraignment on October 29 before Judge Jean Rosenbluth.

Currently, Quadri remains in the custody of the US Marshal Service, facing charges of aggravated identity theft, bank, and wire fraud. Judge Jean Rosenbluth, a renowned magistrate judge in the Central District of California, will preside over the case.