According to a statement issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Quadri was convicted for submitting over 100 fraudulent applications for pandemic-related unemployment and disability benefits in California and Nevada using stolen identities.
🏛️ Court Proceedings and Sentence
Quadri, 43, who resided in Pasadena, California, was sentenced by United States District Judge George H. Wu, who also ordered him to:
Pay $1,356,229 in restitution
Pay a $35,000 fine
Quadri had pleaded guilty earlier, on January 2, to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. He was arrested in September 2024 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as he attempted to flee to Nigeria.
💰 How the Fraud Worked
Over the course of the pandemic, Quadri orchestrated a wide-reaching fraud scheme, withdrawing fraudulent benefits from ATMs between 2021 and 2024. Authorities revealed he used the stolen funds to:
Construct a 120-room resort hotel in Nigeria
Build a nightclub and a shopping mall
Send at least $500,000 overseas
Court records indicate the hotel—named Oyins International—boasts luxury amenities including a nightclub and high-end retail spaces. However, Quadri failed to disclose his ownership of the property during court-mandated financial declarations.
🕵🏽 Additional Findings by Federal Investigators
The investigation uncovered the following:
17 counterfeit checks totaling over $3.3 million were found on Quadri’s mobile phone
Messages on his device revealed negotiations related to fake checks and use of shell companies under aliases
Misappropriated food-aid debit cards meant for developmentally disabled children were recovered from his residence
His California-based business, Rock of Peace, which was supposed to provide daycare services for special-needs children, was used as a front during the scheme
🚨 Immigration and Identity Fraud
In a disturbing twist, Quadri reportedly obtained U.S. permanent residency through a fraudulent marriage, referring to it in private messages as a "fake wedding."
🤝 Investigating Agencies
The case was investigated by:
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations
United States Postal Inspection Service
California Employment Development Department Investigation Division
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Brown from the Major Frauds Section led the prosecution.
🧾 Final Notes
Quadri’s conviction marks a significant crackdown on pandemic relief fraud and highlights the scale of exploitation some individuals engaged in during a time of global crisis. His sentencing sends a strong message about the consequences of defrauding public assistance programs, especially in times of national emergency.
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