A Nigerian-born man, Emmanuel Oluwatosin Kazeem, is at risk of losing his U.S. citizenship after the Department of Justice filed a civil case accusing him of orchestrating a massive identity theft and tax fraud operation worth $91 million.

Court documents allege that Kazeem hid his criminal past and committed immigration fraud to secure naturalisation. Convicted in 2017 on 19 counts, including wire and mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison but served only six years before his sentence was commuted in 2024 by then-President Joe Biden.

Investigators say Kazeem bought over 91,000 stolen identities from a foreign hacker and distributed them to accomplices, who filed more than 10,000 fraudulent tax returns between 2012 and 2015, illegally claiming over $91 million.

At least $11.6 million was collected, with $2.1 million transferred to Nigeria through wire transactions.

Officials also allege Kazeem used the illicit funds to finance a lavish lifestyle, including luxury homes in Maryland, and attempted a $6 million hotel investment in Lagos. He even transferred property ownership to relatives shortly before his arrest to shield assets.

Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate emphasised that citizenship obtained through deception will not be tolerated. “U.S. citizenship is a privilege, and we will continue to ask courts to revoke a status that was obtained through fraud,” he said.

The case, led by the DOJ’s immigration litigation unit with support from the FBI and IRS, could see Kazeem stripped of his citizenship if the court rules his naturalisation was obtained through deceit.

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