Amid the global crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, governments worldwide struggled to support their citizens through unemployment assistance and other relief programs. Unfortunately, such initiatives also became targets for fraud. A recent case involving a Nigerian woman in Pittsburgh, USA, serves as a stark reminder of how some individuals exploited these systems.
Funke Iyanda, a 43-year-old Nigerian national residing in Pittsburgh, has been arrested by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for allegedly defrauding the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry of $40,980 in unemployment benefits. Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti reported on March 19, 2025, that Iyanda was indicted on charges of theft of government property following a federal grand jury investigation.
Iyanda is accused of submitting fraudulent documents between May 2020 and May 2021, using another person’s identity to claim Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits. Her actions reflect the misuse of government programs intended to provide critical support during unprecedented times.
Should Iyanda be convicted, the repercussions could be severe. She faces up to 10 years in prison, a potential $250,000 fine, and the likelihood of deportation to Nigeria after serving her sentence. The case underscores the importance of robust measures to safeguard public resources from fraudulent activities.
This incident not only highlights the vulnerabilities in relief program administration but also raises questions about the ethics and motives behind such fraudulent actions. As governments continue to refine their approaches to aid distribution, the hope is that cases like Iyanda’s will become a rarity.