FBI Tracks Lagos-Based Yahoo Boy for Allegedly Defrauding Trump Inauguration Donor of ₦460 Million in Crypto Scam
In a high-profile international cybercrime case, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched a manhunt for Lagos-based Nigerian national, Ehiremen Aigbokhan, who allegedly masterminded a cryptocurrency fraud scheme that siphoned over $250,000 (₦460 million) from a U.S. donor intending to support the 2025 inauguration of former President Donald Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance.
According to a civil forfeiture complaint filed in the United States, the FBI is seeking to seize assets tied to Mr. Aigbokhan while simultaneously pursuing a criminal arrest warrant for his involvement in what investigators describe as a sophisticated Business Email Compromise (BEC) and money laundering operation.
The Alleged Fraud
Court documents reveal that in the weeks leading up to the January 20, 2025, swearing-in ceremony, cybercriminals spoofed official email addresses connected to the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee. In one striking instance, the address “@t47lnaugural.com” was used to impersonate the official domain “@t47inaugural.com” a subtle but strategic change that duped a well-meaning donor.
On December 26, 2024, the victim wired 250,300 USDT (Tether Ethereum) to the fake account, unaware they were being defrauded. Within days, approximately 215,000 USDT was quickly transferred across various cryptocurrency wallets.
But the FBI, alerted to suspicious activity, acted swiftly. By December 31, the Bureau contacted Tether, the USDT issuing company, which complied and froze the implicated accounts.
The Nigerian Connection
FBI forensic investigators traced digital fingerprints including crypto wallet usage, email metadata, and IP addresses directly back to Nigeria, specifically Lagos, where Mr. Aigbokhan is believed to reside.
Further investigations uncovered that the scam’s proceeds were funneled into a Binance account created by Aigbokhan in October 2024. Notably, the account had no financial history until it began receiving deposits linked to the defrauded funds.
In total, the FBI has recovered and frozen 20,017 USDT directly from Aigbokhan’s crypto wallet and another 20,336 USDT from a related address combined worth more than ₦60 million at the current black market rate.
Legal Action Underway
Rick Blaylock Jr., Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, has asked the court to approve the forfeiture of the recovered cryptocurrency. The filing does not yet confirm whether the Nigerian government has been contacted regarding extradition or cooperation.
Though the funds targeted were designated for a political event, officials emphasized the case underscores a broader, alarming trend: transnational cybercrime rings exploiting digital currencies to target high-value U.S. individuals and institutions.
Implications for Nigeria
This case once again places Nigeria’s reputation under global scrutiny. Despite several crackdowns on online fraud (popularly referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo” in local parlance), the persistence and complexity of cybercrime syndicates remain a serious concern for both domestic authorities and international partners.
The absence of a known arrest or public response from Nigerian law enforcement further fuels debate over Nigeria’s capacity or willingness to bring internationally wanted cybercriminals to justice.
As the FBI tightens its grip and the U.S. Department of Justice seeks asset recovery, Mr. Aigbokhan’s alleged scam is now a glaring reminder of how far-reaching the consequences of cyber fraud can be from Lagos laptops to the heart of American politics.
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