A Nigerian, Onoriode Ezewu, has been placed on the United States Department of Labour’s first-ever Most Wanted List over allegations of money laundering linked to fraudulent unemployment benefit claims exceeding $1m.
The department’s Office of Inspector General unveiled the list on Wednesday, featuring 16 fugitives wanted in connection with alleged offences, including fraud, identity theft, money laundering and labour trafficking.
According to the agency, the cases involving the suspects collectively account for more than $55m allegedly stolen from American taxpayers.
Ezewu’s profile on the department’s website identifies him as wanted for concealment money laundering, adding that he is believed to be residing in Nigeria.
The department said Ezewu was charged in January 2021 with 15 counts of concealment money laundering over fraudulent Unemployment Insurance and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims allegedly submitted using stolen identities.
The scheme reportedly exceeded $1m and also involved the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan programme.
“Following his arrest and initial appearance, Ezewu violated the conditions of his pre-trial release and an arrest warrant was issued,” the department said.
Announcing the list, the US Department of Labour’s Inspector General, Anthony P. D’Esposito, said the initiative was designed to strengthen efforts to track down the suspects and recover funds allegedly taken from taxpayers.
“Today we are introducing our first-ever Most Wanted List, targeting 16 fraudsters who stole more than $55 million from hardworking American taxpayers,” D’Esposito said.
He said the agency was collaborating with the White House Fraud Task Force and deploying available resources to locate the individuals and recover the money.
“In partnership with the White House Fraud Task Force, we are using every resource possible and will not stop until every one of these criminals is in handcuffs and every stolen dollar is accounted for. No more excuses. No more hiding. The hunt is on,” he added.
The department said the list was intended to enlist the support of members of the public, the media, online platforms and international partners in locating the fugitives.
It also announced the arrest of another person on the list, Leslie Kaciban, in Hungary.
Kaciban is awaiting extradition to the United States over an alleged labour racketeering scheme involving approximately $4m in illegal kickbacks.
The department urged anyone with information about suspected wrongdoing involving its programmes or operations to contact its Office of Inspector General.
