A Nigerian national based in the United States, Opeyemi Olujobi, and his wife, Jennie Davidson, are facing the possibility of up to 50 years in prison following their arrest over an alleged $500,000 credit card fraud scheme in New York.
The case was announced by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, who confirmed that the suspects were apprehended in Poughkeepsie and are expected to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in White Plains.
Prosecutors allege that the couple ran a coordinated identity theft operation targeting more than 200 credit card accounts linked to a consumer financial services company. The scheme reportedly ran from May 2023 to October 2024 and involved unauthorised transactions exceeding $575,000.
According to investigators, the defendants allegedly used stolen personal data—including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, phone numbers, and home addresses—to impersonate legitimate account holders. They are said to have redirected account details to addresses in Hopewell Junction, New York, including their residence, in order to intercept replacement cards.
Once in possession of the cards, the suspects allegedly made fraudulent purchases at various retail outlets, primarily buying gift cards and other merchandise. Surveillance footage reportedly captured them using the stolen cards during multiple transactions.
Authorities further allege that the duo sometimes contacted financial institutions to reactivate declined transactions or increase credit limits, enabling continued spending. Davidson is also accused of laundering proceeds through an online betting platform before transferring funds into personal accounts.
Court filings show that both defendants face a four-count indictment, including conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and bank fraud, offences that carry a maximum sentence of 30 years each. Davidson also faces an additional money laundering charge, which carries up to 20 years imprisonment.
If convicted on all counts, the combined sentencing exposure could reach 50 years in prison.
Prosecutors emphasised that the charges are allegations and that both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
