The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have revealed a major fraud scheme involving six individuals, including two Nigerians, Solomon Aluko and Nosakhare Nobore. The suspects are accused of stealing approximately $50 million through fraudulent activities targeting U.S. government programs, including COVID-19 relief funds.
According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, the six defendants operated a sophisticated check fraud and money laundering network between 2021 and 2025. The scheme involved the use of fake identities and sham businesses to deposit stolen or fraudulent checks. These checks included U.S. Treasury payments intended for COVID-19 relief, tax refunds, and benefits for veterans and the elderly.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Matthew Podolsky, condemned the exploitation of government programs designed to assist citizens during times of crisis. “We allege that the defendants stole tens of millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief and other checks, using a ‘Fraud Bible’ to guide their actions,” Podolsky stated. “This Office will not tolerate such exploitation, and we will hold those responsible fully accountable.”
The six individuals charged in this case are:
Nosakhare Nobore, 29, Edgewater, New Jersey
Solomon Aluko, 29, Hackensack, New Jersey
Shan Anand, 34, Queens, New York
Nicholas Pappas, 28, Miami, Florida
Leonard Ujkic, 44, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Jorge Gonzalez, 28, North Bergen, New Jersey
Each defendant faces multiple charges:
Wire and bank fraud (maximum sentence: 30 years)
Money laundering (maximum sentence: 20 years)
Conspiracy to defraud the government (maximum sentence: 10 years)
Aggravated identity theft (mandatory sentence: 2 years)
Federal investigators revealed that the suspects used a document known as the “Fraud Bible,” which provided detailed instructions on committing various financial crimes such as credit card fraud and ATM fraud. Evidence from their communications showed that some defendants openly shared methods to manipulate financial systems for illegal gains.
Leslie R. Backschies, Acting Assistant Director in Charge at the FBI’s New York Field Office, highlighted the scale of the operation: “These six defendants allegedly used sham businesses and stolen identities to run a multi-year fraud scheme that resulted in $50 million being deposited into their accounts. Their actions exploited multiple government programs meant to support struggling Americans.”
IRS Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis Jr. emphasized how deliberate and brazen these crimes were. “This group openly communicated about their fraudulent activities while stealing funds meant to help struggling businesses and vulnerable populations,” Chavis noted.
If convicted on all counts, each defendant could face up to 62 years in prison for their role in this elaborate scheme. Federal authorities have reiterated their commitment to prosecuting those who exploit government programs designed to assist citizens during emergencies.
