Fraud Ring Used Social Media and Text Messages to Trick Seniors Into Sending Millions

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A Kalamazoo man will spend more than 10 years in prison for his role in an international mail and wire fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims across multiple states.

Fatai Okunola, 38, was sentenced Wednesday to 121 months for his role in the fraud conspiracy, according to the U.S. Department of Justice Western District of Michigan. He received an additional 60 months for making false statements when seeking naturalization as a U.S. citizen, and 120 months for money laundering with proceeds from the fraud. All three sentences will run concurrently.

Okunola will also pay $731,879.16 in restitution and face deportation once his sentence is complete.

The fraud scheme operated between 2017 and 2022 and defrauded victims of approximately $2 million.

How The Fraud Scheme Worked

The conspiracy involved four individuals: Okunola, Oluwaseyi Adeola, 34, of Dallas, Texas, Ijeoma Adeola, 36, also of Dallas, Texas, and Cory McDougal, 33, of Romeoville, Illinois.

According to court records, the group conspired with individuals in Nigeria to defraud people using interstate wire transmissions or the mail system.

The fraudsters created fake personas and developed relationships with victims through social media, text messages, or telephone calls. Once victims agreed, the group directed them to send money to multiple bank accounts in West Michigan, among other places.

On some occasions, the group received money in post office boxes maintained under alias names or through payments made out to shell businesses they created to receive proceeds.

As soon as they received money, the group allegedly transferred funds to each other, to conspirators overseas, and to their own accounts in Nigeria.

Other Defendants Sentenced

Oluwaseyi Adeola received 34 months in prison and was ordered to pay $409,968.93 in restitution.

Ijeoma Adeola received three years of probation for misprision of a felony and was ordered to pay $48,570 in restitution.

Cory McDougal, who previously pleaded guilty in the conspiracy, will be sentenced at a later date.

Victims and Response

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said financial fraud is not a faceless crime.

"The defendants used modern technology, including the internet and social media platforms — something we all rely upon every day to communicate and carry out legitimate tasks in our daily lives — to prey on elderly and vulnerable victims," Totten said.

HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie M. Salazar said these cases remind the public to check in on elderly family members and community members to ensure they are not taken advantage of by sophisticated schemes.

Anyone who suspects internet crime is taking place is encouraged to file a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Officials recommend the following precautions:

  • Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, emails, and mailings
  • Never give or send sensitive information, including date of birth, account numbers, or passwords, credit or debit card numbers, or money to unverified people or businesses
  • Resist the pressure to act quickly — scammers create a false sense of urgency to lure victims to immediate action
  • End all communication with the perpetrator immediately if you recognize a scam attempt

Community Impact

The fraud scheme targeted senior citizens who were tricked into sending money through various means. The victims included people across multiple states who trusted the fake personas created by the fraudsters.

The group used the internet and social media platforms to build relationships with victims before directing them to send money. This sophisticated approach made the fraud harder to detect and prevented many victims from realizing they were being scammed.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Section has investigated major and specialized crimes including fraud. The department encourages residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.