Arrests in money-laundering investigation involving FBI and United States Postal Inspection Service, Ties to FBI case involving allegations of $5 billion fraud

Arrests in money-laundering investigation involving FBI and United States Postal Inspection Service, Ties to FBI case involving allegations of $5 billion fraud, Police believe there may be other victims

Thursday, October 22, 2015 - 10:41 AM
Financial Crimes:  416-808-7300

The Mass Marketing Section of the Toronto Police Service Financial Crimes Unit is a member of the Toronto Strategic Partnership against Cross-Border Fraud. This partnership represents a combined enforcement strategy, specializing in the investigation of mass marketing fraud in, or originating from within, the province of Ontario with cross-border implications.

During August 2014, members of the Mass Marketing Section started a fraud-related investigation, which revealed a "romance scam" involving a 63-year-old widow from Toronto. The romance scam occurred during the first half of 2014. The victim was allegedly defrauded of approximately $609,000.

Investigators worked with members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Postal Inspection Service. This joint investigation uncovered the identities of individuals allegedly responsible for the cross-border laundering of proceeds of crime with a criminal organization.

It is alleged that:

- proceeds were obtained via a variety of fraudulent schemes directed against the public

- victims were encouraged to wire funds to a various bank accounts

- the funds were laundered and disseminated back to those directing the fraudulent schemes

On October 7, 2015, members of the Financial Crimes Unit, assisted by Peel Regional Police, executed a search warrant. Ikechukwu Amadi, 34, of Mississagua, and Lineo Molefe, 31, of Toronto were arrested. They have been charged in relation to the "romance scam" with:

1. Laundering the Proceeds of Crime
2. Fraud Over $5000

It is further alleged that:

- Akohomen Ighedoise, 41, of Toronto, is a member of an organization known as The Black Axe or Neo-Black Movement of Africa. The Neo-Black Movement of Africa is a transnational organization with affiliates in major cities around the globe, known as “zones.”

- Akohomen Ighedoise was actively laundering the proceeds of crime with/for other Black Axe members for monetary benefit

He has been charged with:

1. Laundering the Proceeds of Crime
2. Fraud Over $5000
3. Participating in a Criminal Organization

It is alleged that:

- the Black Axe/Neo-Black Movement are attempting to intimidate and exert influence upon Nigerian diaspora within the Greater Toronto Area

Toronto Police is encouraging anyone with information to please contact police or Crime Stoppers.

Based upon their own investigation, with assistance from the Toronto Police Service, the FBI recently indicted six individuals in an alleged vast wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, where conspirators attempted to defraud victims of more than $5 billion.

Akohomen Ighedoise and Ikechukwu Amadi are among those indicted. The United States intends to seek extradition of Akohomen Ighedoise and Ikechukwu Amadi upon the conclusion of their respective Canadian cases. Additional U.S. indictments are expected in the immediate future.

It is alleged that:

- Akohomen Ighedoise utilized the alias Martin Acker or Martins Acker Jr
- he claimed to be a representative of the United Nations
- this ruse was supported by the use of forged UN identification dating as far back as 2011.

Police believe there may be other victims.

The Toronto Police Service is appealing to anyone who may have had dealings with the man pictured or had dealings with a person using the name of Martin Acker.

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 www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu, Corporate Communications, for Detective Sergeant Ian Nichol, Financial Crimes

Akohomen Ighedoise, 41, arrested for participating in a criminal organization. 

 Police believe there may be other victims

Akohomen Ighedoise, 41, arrested for participating in a criminal organization. 

 Police believe there may be other victims

Akohomen Ighedoise, 41, arrested for participating in a criminal organization. 

 Police believe there may be other victims