March 19, 2026 | International News | SUNTV Global Channel
The United States Department of Justice has filed a civil case to revoke the citizenship of a Nigerian-born fraud convict, Emmanuel Oluwatosin Kazeem, over his alleged role in a massive tax fraud scheme worth more than $91 million.
According to U.S. prosecutors, the case—filed at a federal court in Baltimore—seeks to strip Kazeem of his American citizenship on grounds that it was fraudulently obtained and tied to a long-running criminal enterprise.
Kazeem had earlier been convicted in 2017 on multiple counts, including mail fraud, wire fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy. He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment but was later granted clemency in 2024 by former U.S. President Joe Biden after serving about six years.
Announcing the new legal action, U.S. officials under the administration of Donald J. Trump emphasized that citizenship obtained through deception would not be tolerated.
Investigations revealed that Kazeem masterminded a complex fraud network that stole personal data from over 259,000 victims. He allegedly purchased tens of thousands of identities from foreign hackers and distributed them among collaborators to file fraudulent tax returns between 2012 and 2015.
Authorities say the syndicate submitted over 10,000 fake tax filings, seeking more than $91 million in refunds, out of which at least $11.6 million was successfully obtained.
Evidence gathered from coordinated raids across U.S. states uncovered prepaid debit cards, large sums of cash, electronic devices, and money orders linked to the operation. Investigators also traced over $2 million in wire transfers sent to Nigeria.
Prosecutors further alleged that Kazeem used fraudulent means, including a sham marriage, to secure permanent residency before eventually becoming a U.S. citizen.
Funds from the scheme were reportedly used to finance an extravagant lifestyle, including real estate purchases in Maryland and plans to build a luxury hotel in Lagos.
The case is part of a broader effort by U.S. authorities to clamp down on fraud and ensure that individuals who obtained citizenship through illegal means are held accountable.
If successful, the court ruling could see Kazeem stripped of his U.S. nationality permanently.
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