Olalekan Jacob Ponle, also known as Mr Woodberry, has signed a guilty plea with US authorities, agreeing to hand over $8 million in wire fraud earnings as well as luxury cars and watches to the foreign government.
The flamboyant internet scammer initially pleaded not guilty to an eight-count fraud allegation stemming from his participation in a scheme known as business email compromise (BEC).
However, according to a plea declaration filed on April 6 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division, Mr Woodberry is now pleading guilty to count one of the counts.
He was obliged to reimburse the $8 million he fraudulently got from the seven companies that fell for his scam, according to his plea agreement.
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“Defendant understands that by pleading guilty, he will subject to forfeiture to the United States all right, title, and interest that he has in any property constituting or derived from proceeds obtained, directly or indirectly, as a result of the offence,” the document containing Mr Ponle’s signed plea declaration stated.
Mr Ponle was also requested to give up his rights to the fancy cars and designer watches that he had hidden in Dubai.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan (J9153), Lamborghini Urus (N4973), and Mercedes-Benz G-class (G68816) are among the high-end vehicles.
Four Rolex watches, one Patek Philippe watch, three Audemars Piguet watches, three gold and diamond-studded earrings, and six gold neck chains were also taken.
Last year, he forfeited 151.8 Bitcoin, or almost $6 million, to the US authorities, which was determined to retrieve all stolen funds from the Nigerian scammer.
On June 10, 2020, Mr Ponle was detained in Dubai with Ramon “Hushpuppi” Abbas, who is presently serving an 11-year term for a similar fraud offence.
