International businessman and philanthropist, Allen Onyema, was indicted by the U.S. government for bank fraud and money laundering.
According to the Department of Justice, Onyema moved, “more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts”. The scheme involved falsified documents “based on the purchase of airplanes.”
As the founder and CEO of Nigeria’s Air Peace, Onyema allegedly used the money to cover his personal living expenses and high-end purchases.
The Accusations
According to court documents, Onyema faces “27 counts of money laundering”. He also faces “three counts of bank fraud, three counts of credit application fraud and two conspiracy charges.”
The events took place between 2010 and 2018. During that time, Onyema allegedly transferred $45 million from foreign bank accounts into his U.S. bank account in Atlanta.
According to reports, that sum included “hundreds of thousands of dollars” from his charitable organizations. He reportedly then used this money to pay for a Rolls Royce, an armored Lexus Lx570, and a Mercedes. Purchases were also made at “Prada, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s Louis Vuitton, and Apple stores in Atlanta”.
Oneyma shared this account with his wife.
In 2016, Onyema also allegedly used fake letters of credit and a number of “innocent sounding multi-million dollar asset purchases” to launder over $16 million.
On Tuesday, a warrant was issued for Onyema’s arrest.