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 $1m.
The department’s Office of Inspector General unveiled the list on Wednesday, naming 16 fugitives wanted in connection with alleged offences including fraud, identity theft, money laundering, labour trafficking and other crimes.
According to the agency, the cases collectively involve more than $55m 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 in connection with fraudulent Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims filed using stolen identities.
“In January 2021, Ezewu was charged with 15 counts of concealment money laundering tied to fraudulent UI and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims filed using stolen identities, in a scheme exceeding $1 million that also touched SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan programme,” the department said.
It added that Ezewu violated the conditions of his pre-trial release after his arrest and initial court appearance, prompting the issuance of an arrest warrant.
Announcing the list, the US Department of Labour’s Inspector General, Anthony P. D’Esposito, said the initiative was designed to strengthen efforts to locate the fugitives and recover funds 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 money 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,” D’Esposito said.
The department said the Most Wanted List was intended to mobilise members of the public, the media, online platforms and international partners to assist 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.
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