David Daniyan, a 60-year-old Nigerian citizen who lived in Brooklyn under multiple aliases, has pleaded guilty to bank fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft in a scheme that stole more than $1.7 million from financial institutions across the United States. His guilty plea marks a significant breakthrough in a widespread federal investigation targeting organized financial crimes.
Daniyan worked closely with Oluwaseun Adekoya, 39, of Cliffside Park, New Jersey, to orchestrate the scam. They obtained personal information from unsuspecting victims across the country and recruited accomplices to impersonate them using counterfeit driver’s licenses. These fake identities allowed them to withdraw cash, secure fraudulent loans, and make unauthorized purchases at high-end retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue.
The conspiracy went beyond fraudulently obtaining money. Daniyan and Adekoya also laundered their illegal earnings by purchasing additional fake identification documents and depositing fraudulent checks into bank accounts controlled by their network. Their operations spanned multiple states, with activity traced to the Northern District of New York and beyond.
Daniyan, a long-time fraudster, has been living in the United States illegally since at least the 1990s. He was previously convicted under a stolen U.S. citizen’s identity in another federal district. Despite his past legal troubles, he continued operating under multiple aliases, including “Bamikole Laniyan” and “David Enfield.”
The investigation gained momentum after Daniyan’s arrest in May 2022 in Cohoes, New York. He was apprehended alongside Gaysha Kennedy, 46, of Brooklyn, and Victor Barriera, 64, of the Bronx, while attempting to commit bank fraud in the Capital Region. Their arrests led authorities to uncover a broader fraud network involving several co-conspirators.
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A superseding indictment charges multiple individuals, including Adekoya, Kani Bassie, 36, of Brooklyn, and Richmond, Virginia, residents Davon Hunter, 27, Jermon Brooks, 20, and Christian Quivers, 20. Also implicated is Crystal Kurschner, 44, of Brooklyn. These defendants face various charges, including bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. While some remain in legal proceedings, others, such as Kennedy, Barriera, and Jerjuan Joyner, 50, of Brooklyn, have already pleaded guilty.
Daniyan’s sentencing is scheduled for July 10. He faces a maximum of 30 years in prison for bank fraud conspiracy, 20 years for money laundering, and a mandatory additional two years for aggravated identity theft. In addition, he must forfeit nearly $100,000 in fraudulent proceeds and pay at least $1.77 million in restitution.
Authorities confirmed that Daniyan would be placed into immigration removal proceedings following his prison term. Given his history of using fraudulent identities to evade detection, federal agents are closely monitoring the case to prevent future offenses.
The case is being handled by the FBI’s Albany Field Office, with support from the FBI’s New York, Newark, and Richmond divisions. Local and state law enforcement agencies across multiple states, including New York, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Indiana, also played a crucial role in dismantling the fraud network.
Federal prosecutors emphasized their commitment to holding financial criminals accountable. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark and Joshua R. Rosenthal are leading the prosecution, ensuring that those involved in the scheme face justice. The investigation remains ongoing, with additional arrests and legal actions expected.
Crediblenewsng.com
