The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an international investigation into a Nigerian national, Ehiremen Aigbokhan, who is accused of stealing over ₦460 million (approximately $300,000) meant for the 2025 inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to a civil forfeiture complaint filed in the United States, the funds were intended as a donation to the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee a body responsible for organizing the swearing-in events for President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. Authorities say the donation was intercepted by Aigbokhan through a sophisticated cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering scheme.
“The FBI is now seeking to seize assets linked to Aigbokhan, who is based in Lagos, Nigeria, including properties and bank accounts suspected to have been purchased with proceeds from the scam. An arrest warrant has also been issued,” civil forfeiture complaint said.
Investigators allege that Aigbokhan posed as a legitimate crypto investment broker and convinced a high-profile donor to transfer digital currency meant for the Trump inauguration to a wallet under his control. The donor, whose identity has not been released, believed they were sending the funds through a secure and official channel.
Once the transfer was complete, Aigbokhan is alleged to have quickly moved the funds through multiple crypto wallets and laundering methods to conceal the source of the money.
The FBI is now working with Nigerian authorities and Interpol to locate and extradite Aigbokhan. The case highlights the growing use of crypto currency in high-level financial fraud and the increasing involvement of West African cybercrime rings in targeting political and charitable institutions abroad.
U.S. officials have stressed that no inauguration operations were compromised as a result of the fraud, and that the Trump-Vance committee was not directly involved in the transaction. However, they described the case as a serious breach of trust and a warning to donors and political organizations alike.
If convicted, Aigbokhan could face charges including wire fraud, conspiracy, and international money laundering.
