The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has requested the assistance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in apprehending two Nigerian fugitives connected to a $13 million healthcare fraud scheme in the United States.
Babatunde Shodiya and Yinka Jamiu were indicted by a grand jury at the U.S. District Court of Minnesota on September 25. The indictment details a scheme that caused healthcare providers to lose $13 million between October 2020 and 2024.
An anonymous EFCC agent, speaking with Peoples Gazette, confirmed the U.S. authorities’ request for assistance. “The suspects are believed to be hiding in Nigeria, and we are obliged to cooperate with our U.S. counterparts, given our ongoing collaboration to tackle cross-border crimes,” the agent said.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger explained that Shodiya and Jamiu allegedly created fake websites and email addresses to exploit Optum Pay, a payment platform widely used by Minnesota healthcare providers, while impersonating Fairview Health personnel.
The fraudsters deceived Fairview Health staff into providing login credentials by sending fraudulent emails. They then set up a counterfeit website, fairviewhospitals.org, posing as high-ranking hospital officials, including the CEO and executive vice president.
Shodiya also faces aggravated identity theft charges for impersonating Fairview executives as part of the wire fraud scheme.
Luger further noted, “Shodiya and Jamiu designed a spoofed internet domain to appear as if it were managed by Fairview Health. As a result, they redirected over $13 million in payments meant for Fairview Health from Minnesota healthcare companies to accounts they controlled.”
If arrested, the fugitives will be extradited to the U.S. and their assets, linked to the fraudulent profits, will be seized by American authorities.
