FBI Targets Nigerian Fraudster in Major Cryptocurrency Scam Linked to Trump Inauguration Funding
The FBI has initiated legal proceedings to seize the assets of Ehiremen Aigbokhan, a Lagos-based individual accused of executing a sophisticated cryptocurrency scam that defrauded over ₦460 million (approximately $250,000) intended for Donald Trump’s 2025 presidential inauguration.
Court documents reveal that Aigbokhan and his collaborators allegedly employed a Business Email Compromise (BEC) tactic, impersonating officials from the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee.
They created deceptive email accounts that closely mimicked that of Steve Witkoff, a prominent real estate executive and co-chair of the inaugural event, to manipulate a potential donor.
On December 26, 2024, the scammers successfully coerced the donor into transferring 250,300 USDT.ETH— a cryptocurrency that was valued at more than ₦400 million at the time of the transaction.
The diverted funds were rapidly distributed across multiple digital wallets, with a significant portion being relocated soon after.
Collaboration between the FBI and the cryptocurrency firm Tether helped uncover the fraudulent scheme, resulting in the freezing of the implicated accounts by December 31.
Investigations have traced Aigbokhan back to Lagos, prompting U.S. authorities to escalate their inquiry.
In addition to this case, Aigbokhan is also being sought for his alleged connections to larger cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering operations.
