The United States Department of Justice has filed a civil complaint seeking to revoke the citizenship of Nigerian‑born Emmanuel Oluwatosin Kazeem, alleging he fraudulently obtained naturalisation and led a massive tax fraud and identity‑theft scheme.
According to the DOJ, Kazeem orchestrated a sprawling conspiracy that used stolen personal data from more than 259,000 Americans to file fraudulent tax returns collectively seeking over $91 million in refunds. Investigators say the scheme resulted in more than 10,000 fake federal tax returns, of which more than $11.6 million was actually received.
The department’s filing in the U.S. District Court in Baltimore, Maryland, argues that Kazeem’s criminal conduct both before and after naturalisation and his concealment of that conduct disqualified him from obtaining U.S. citizenship lawfully. Prosecutors also allege he entered into a sham marriage to secure permanent residency a factor that can independently invalidate a naturalisation application.
Kazeem was originally convicted on 19 federal counts including mail and wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2018. He was also ordered to pay more than $12 million in restitution. However, his sentence was commuted in 2024 as part of a broader clemency initiative for individuals released early due to pandemic conditions.
In seeking his denaturalisation, U.S. authorities said retaining citizenship that was allegedly obtained through fraud and deception is a privilege that should not be allowed for individuals convicted of extensive criminal conduct.
The civil case separate from any new criminal charges must be decided by a federal judge, and if successful, would strip Kazeem of U.S. citizenship and potentially expose him to deportation proceedings.
This move highlights ongoing efforts by the U.S. government to hold foreign‑born individuals accountable when alleged immigration fraud and serious financial crimes coincide, reinforcing that naturalisation obtained through fraud may be revoked even years after conviction.
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