Nigerian Nationals Held: Bank Fraud, Counterfeit Passport Scheme

PROVIDENCE, RI – Two Nigerian nationals have been detained in federal custody in Rhode Island on charges they allegedly participated in a large-scale counterfeit bank fraud and passport scheme and intended to steal more than $850,000. Olugboyega Akinloye Fasanya, 35, of Woonsocket, and Anthony Chidozie Ezike, 35, of Pawtucket, are targets of a federal criminal complaint charging them with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and use of counterfeit passports.

According to acting U.S. Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, the two were arrested Thursday and appeared in Providence federal court.

Starting in June 2015, authorities allege, Fasanya "orchestrated a scheme that defrauded more than" 10 banks in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and elsewhere "by acquiring and altering originally lawfully passed checks between commercial entities." It worked like this: the checks were made out to aliases used by Fasanya, Ezike and others. The two then deposited the checks into bank accounts they opened using the aliases. They were often able to withdraw the money before the bank realized there was fraud.

The scheme also involved unauthorized wire transfers "followed by rapid withdrawals," the office said. "It is alleged that the defendants used counterfeit passports from Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa as forms of identification when opening various bank accounts used to execute the scheme."

The two allegedly deposited about $853,000 worth of wire transfers and fraudulent checks. They were able to withdraw or use $368,000.

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