A Nigerian, Onoriode Ezewu, has been named on the United States Department of Labour’s first-ever Most Wanted List over allegations of money laundering linked to fraudulent unemployment benefit claims worth more than $1 million.
The department’s Office of Inspector General unveiled the list on its website on Wednesday, naming 16 fugitives wanted in connection with alleged offences including fraud, identity theft, money laundering and labour trafficking.
According to the agency, the cases collectively involve more than $55 million allegedly stolen from American taxpayers.
Ezewu’s profile on the department’s website identifies him as wanted for concealment money laundering and states 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 linked to fraudulent Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims filed using stolen identities.
The alleged scheme, valued at more than $1 million, also involved the US 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 intended to strengthen efforts to locate the fugitives and recover money allegedly stolen from taxpayers.
He said the agency was working with the White House Fraud Task Force to track down those listed and account for the funds involved.
“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 said.
The department explained that the list was designed to mobilise the public, media organisations, online platforms and international partners to help locate the wanted individuals.
The department 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 $4 million in illegal kickbacks.
The US Department of Labour urged anyone with information about suspected wrongdoing involving its programmes or operations to contact its Office of Inspector General.
