Kansas Attorney General seizes crypto wallet from Nigerian scammer

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced the successful recovery of an international crypto wallet tied to a Nigerian scammer, marking a significant step for the state in combating online financial fraud. 

The seized funds will be returned to a Kansas resident who was defrauded in a cryptocurrency investment scam, making this one of Kansas' first successful civil actions against an international internet scammer. 

The case began when a Kansas resident filed a complaint with the Attorney General's office, alleging she had been promised substantial returns on a cryptocurrency investment. 

An investigation revealed that Bimbo Toyin Akinyemi, a Nigerian national, was responsible for defrauding the victim out of her investment. 

In response, the Attorney General's Charities and Financial Scams unit initiated a lawsuit against Akinyemi under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. 

After Akinyemi failed to respond to the lawsuit, a district court ordered full restitution and imposed penalties, enabling the Attorney General’s office to seize his digital assets. 

"His office successfully recovered an international electronic wallet and will return money to a Kansas victim of a crypto investment scam," stated Kris Kobach, noting the importance of this recovery as a significant achievement for Kansas. 

The U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) played key roles in the investigation, assisting the Kansas Attorney General's office in tracking down the digital assets. 

According to the official announcement, the seized crypto wallet contained half a bitcoin, valued at over $28,900, along with additional digital currencies valued at more than $4,000. 

This recovery highlights the ongoing efforts by Kansas authorities to combat financial scams and protect residents from fraudulent schemes, particularly those involving cryptocurrencies. 

It also underscores the importance of international cooperation in tackling cross-border cybercrime and ensuring justice for victims of such scams. 

The recovered funds will now be returned to the Kansas resident who was defrauded, providing a measure of relief and restitution.