Two more defendants have admitted guilt in a sweeping identity theft and bank fraud ring that defrauded institutions across the country of more than $2 million.
Kani Bassie, 36, of Brooklyn, and Jermon Brooks, 20, of Richmond, Virginia, pled guilty last week to conspiracy charges in a scheme federal prosecutors say was led by Oluwaseun Adekoya, 39, a Nigerian citizen.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, Bassie and Brooks supervised accomplices who posed as identity-theft victims to withdraw hundreds of thousands of dollars nationwide. Bassie also admitted to laundering money with Adekoya in an attempt to conceal the fraud’s profits and reinvest them in the ongoing operation.
“And then there was one,” said U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “We look forward to trial. We appreciate the efforts of the FBI, and many other law enforcement partners across the country, in uncovering this scheme.”
Adekoya, the alleged ringleader, is scheduled to face trial on June 9 before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. He is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and nine counts of aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors noted that the charges remain allegations and that Adekoya is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli called the case a warning to would-be fraudsters. “The FBI takes very seriously our responsibility to investigate and pursue those who commit fraud for personal gain,” he said. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who use illegal means and criminal behavior to take advantage of others.”
The investigation began in May 2022 following the arrest of three individuals by the Cohoes Police Department who were allegedly traveling to commit bank fraud in the Capital Region. Since then, authorities have uncovered more than $2 million in fraudulent transactions and secured guilty pleas from thirteen defendants, resulting in the forfeiture of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, designer apparel, and jewelry.
Bassie and Brooks each face up to 30 years in prison for bank fraud conspiracy. Bassie could receive up to 20 more years for money laundering, and both men face an additional mandatory two years for aggravated identity theft. They will be ordered to pay restitution and could face up to five years of supervised release after incarceration.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark, Mathew M. Paulbeck, and Joshua R. Rosenthal. The FBI’s Albany Field Office is leading the investigation, with support from numerous law enforcement agencies across at least 18 states.
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