Monrovia — Sheikh Kante, a Maryland resident and Liberian national, is being sought by the U.S. Marshals Service after violating the terms of his supervised release.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
Kante, 41, was convicted in connection to a sophisticated business email compromise (BEC) scheme that caused losses exceeding $7 million.
In October 2024, an arrest warrant was issued after authorities determined that Kante had violated the conditions of his release, following his conviction for his role in one of the largest BEC fraud operations in the country.
Kante, once known for his business ventures and philanthropic efforts in Liberia, was previously sentenced to 20 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
BEC schemes typically involve fraudsters using compromised legitimate email accounts to authorize financial transactions.
Kante’s case, dating back to 2020, reveals how he utilized a healthcare worker’s stolen credentials to reroute payments for the company to a third-party account.
Eight wire transfers totaling over $7 million were traced to Kante’s involvement. Additionally, Kante targeted a real estate agency in Ohio, using a spoofed email address to redirect a client’s $80,000 deposit for a condominium.
After the scheme was uncovered, Kante was arrested and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, as well as engaging in financial transactions derived from criminal activity. However, his recent violation of his supervised release terms has led authorities to launch a manhunt.
“We are asking the public for help in locating Kante and bringing him to justice,” said Al Maresca, a deputy marshal with the U.S. Marshals Service. Authorities are particularly concerned about Kante’s ties to Liberia, considering him a potential flight risk.
Anyone with information on Kante’s whereabouts is urged to contact the U.S. Marshals Service at 202-819-5058. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
Further Investigation into Kante’s Ties to Liberia
Kante, who was previously known in Liberia by his alias “Royal Gold,” has garnered significant attention due to his wealth and connections.
The U.S. authorities have indicated that Kante maintained a close relationship with key figures in Liberia, including high-ranking government officials. His alleged links to illicit activities in both Liberia and Sierra Leone have raised further questions about his operations.
At the time of his arrest in April 2022, Kante was en route to the United Arab Emirates, with a one-way ticket in hand.
His possession of multiple passports, including a diplomatic Liberian passport, added complexity to the investigation, leading to concerns about his ability to flee the country. U.S. authorities emphasized that his deep ties to the Liberian government made him a flight risk.
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