Olalekan Jacob Ponle, also known as Mr Woodberry, a suspected internet fraudster, has agreed to a plea deal with the US authorities in which he promised to hand over $8 million in wire fraud proceeds, as well as his fancy automobiles and watches.
Woodberry was detained in the United Arab Emirates in 2020 and extradited to the United States, where he was charged with conspiracy to conduct wire fraud.
Prosecutors claimed he duped American businesses into transferring millions of dollars via a corporate email breach scam.
Ponle initially pled not guilty to eight counts. According to a plea declaration filed in the US District Court, he changed his mind and pleaded guilty to the first count of the indictments. The plea agreement requires him to refund the $8 million he cheated to the seven companies.
“Defendant understands that by pleading guilty, he will subject to forfeiture to the United States all right, title, and interest that he has in any property constituting or derived from proceeds obtained, directly or indirectly, as a result of the offence,”
read the document containing Ponle’s signed plea declaration.
In addition, the court instructed Mr. Woodberry to renounce his ownership of the lavish cars and pricey wristwatches he purchased and stored in Dubai, UAE.
The collection of luxurious vehicles set to be forfeited comprises a Rolls Royce Cullinan with a vehicle identification number of J9153, a Lamborghini Urus with plate number N4973, and a Mercedes-Benz G-class with registration number G68816.
Furthermore, the authorities confiscated four Rolex watches, three Audemars Piguet watches, and one Patek Philippe watch from him. Also included among the seized items are three gold and diamond-studded earrings, as well as six gold neck chains.