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United States of America v. Saheed Sunday Owolabi
Date: 03-31-2026
Case Number: 5:22-cr-00137
Judge: Richard E. Myers, II
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney's Office in Wilmington
Defendant's Attorney: Tom Wilson
Description:
Wilmington, North Carolina, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Saheed Sunday Owolabi, a Nigerian national, pretended to be a woman to build online relationships with men in the United States, a scheme known as a romance scam. He and his co-conspirators used these fake relationships to cheat victims into sending money and personal information. Owolabi and others used bank accounts provided by the victims to launder money from other fraudulent operations and stole more than $120,000 from a victim in the EDNC, among many other victims.
Owolabi was a leader or organizer within an extensive organization, engaged in sophisticated money laundering, and caused substantial financial hardship to victims from his schemes. Owolabi’s phone at the time of his arrest showing how he greedily blew this stolen money.
The FBI investigated the case, and Assistant United States Attorney Brad DeVoe is prosecuting the case.
Saheed Sunday Owolabi, a Nigerian national, pretended to be a woman to build online relationships with men in the United States, a scheme known as a romance scam. He and his co-conspirators used these fake relationships to cheat victims into sending money and personal information. Owolabi and others used bank accounts provided by the victims to launder money from other fraudulent operations and stole more than $120,000 from a victim in the EDNC, among many other victims.
Owolabi was a leader or organizer within an extensive organization, engaged in sophisticated money laundering, and caused substantial financial hardship to victims from his schemes. Owolabi’s phone at the time of his arrest showing how he greedily blew this stolen money.
The FBI investigated the case, and Assistant United States Attorney Brad DeVoe is prosecuting the case.
Outcome:
The Defendant was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Saheed Sunday Owolabi?
The outcome was: The Defendant was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Which court heard United States of America v. Saheed Sunday Owolabi?
This case was heard in United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, NC. The presiding judge was Richard E. Myers, II.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Saheed Sunday Owolabi?
Plaintiff's attorney: United States District Attorney's Office in Wilmington. Defendant's attorney: Tom Wilson.
When was United States of America v. Saheed Sunday Owolabi decided?
This case was decided on March 31, 2026.