Atlanta Man Convicted of Laundering $2.7 Million from Online Fraud Victims
A federal jury in Georgia has convicted Babajide Adesayo of laundering more than $2.7 million stolen from victims of romance fraud and other online scams, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
The verdict, returned on August 6, 2026, followed an eight-day trial. Adesayo, 41, was convicted on two counts of conspiracy to commit money laundering and 16 counts of transactional money laundering.
Prosecutors said fraudsters targeted mostly elderly victims online, posing as friends, business contacts or romantic partners before persuading them to send large payments, including retirement savings. Much of the money was first routed through business accounts controlled by a co-defendant and falsely described as payments connected to vehicle purchases.
Adesayo then moved much of the money to overseas accounts in China, Hong Kong, Nigeria and other jurisdictions. Over approximately 17 months, he received and transferred more than $2.7 million in victim funds.
The Justice Department also said Adesayo continued laundering funds after his June 2024 arrest while he was released on bond. His bond was later revoked, and he has remained in federal custody since March 2, 2026.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 20, 2026. The case highlights how business accounts, false commercial narratives and rapid cross-border transfers can be used to move proceeds from online fraud and make recovery more difficult.
