TORONTO – Toronto police have arrested three people in connection to a money laundering scheme in which two of them were found to be linked to an international fraud ring that bilked victims of more than $5 billion.
Police said an investigation into the money laundering scheme began in August 2014 which revealed a “romance scam” involving a 63-year-old widow from Toronto who was defrauded of approximately $609,000.
Toronto investigators teamed up with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service to uncover the identities of those allegedly involved.
It is alleged the proceeds were obtained via a variety of schemes in which the victims were encouraged to wire funds to banks accounts.
The money was then laundered back to those organizing the schemes.
VIDEO: Suspects took advantage of romantic relationships to defraud victims
Police executed a search warrant on Oct. 7 and arrested Ikechukwu Amadi, 34, of Mississauga and Lineo Molefe, 31, of Toronto.
Both have been charged with laundering the proceeds of crime and fraud over $5,000.
A third suspect, Akohomen Ighedoise, 41, of Toronto, who had ties with an organization known as The Black Axe or Neo-Black Movement of Africa was also arrested.
It is further alleged Ighedoise used the alias Martin Acker or Martins Acker Jr. who claimed to be a representative of the United Nations using a forged ID dating as far back as 2011.
It is alleged Ighedoise was actively laundering the proceeds of crime for the organization which was intimidating Nigerian diaspora within the Greater Toronto Area.
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He has been charged with laundering the proceeds of crime, fraud over $5,000 and participation in a criminal organization.
The subsequent investigation also linked Ighedoise and Amadi to an alleged wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, where conspirators attempted to defraud victims of more than $5 billion.
The FBI have since indicated six individuals in the fraud ring, included Ighedoise and Amadi.
Police said U.S. officials intend to seek extradition of the two upon the conclusion of their respective Canadian cases.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Mike Kelly at 416-808-7824., Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at http://www.222tips.com.
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