By The Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested 25-year-old Nigerian national Oluyomi Omobolanle Bombata, known as “Bobo Chicago” or “Bola Flexx,” in connection with an alleged $2.8 million fraud scheme targeting multiple companies and individuals.
Bombata was apprehended November 20 in Illinois on an Oklahoma arrest warrant and faces five federal charges stemming from activities between June and October 2023: wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and engaging in unlawful monetary transactions.
FBI investigators traced $2.8 million in fraudulent funds allegedly obtained through company and individual account hacking in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The investigation revealed transfers exceeding $300,000 to a liquor store, leading to the store owner’s implication in the scheme.
Judge Beth Jantz of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois authorized Bombata’s transfer to Oklahoma following his arrest. Authorities report Bombata initially targeted Houston’s Nigerian community before fleeing to Chicago. A co-conspirator has also been detained.
The case joins a growing list of major fraud schemes involving Nigerian nationals prosecuted by U.S. authorities. Notable cases include Ramon Abbas, known as “Hushpuppi,” sentenced to 11 years in 2022 by U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II following his Dubai arrest. Olalekan Ponle, “Mr. Woodberry,” received an eight-year, three-month sentence in July 2023 from Judge Robert Gettleman after pleading guilty to one fraud count in exchange for dropping seven other charges.
Bombata has been assigned a public defender after declaring insufficient funds for private counsel. His case will proceed in Oklahoma, where authorities continue investigating the extent of the alleged fraud network.
