Ten Nigerian nationals have been convicted in the United States for their roles in a transnational cyber fraud operation that allegedly defrauded victims of about $125 million.
The convictions were announced by the United States Attorney’s Office after a four-day trial at the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, where 25 defendants were found guilty of fraud and money laundering offences.
The convicted Nigerians include Oluwafemi Michael Awoyemi, Ayobami Osas Christopher, Emmanuel “Omo Igbo” Okereke, Olalekan “Ola Bash” Bashiru, Casey Adesulu Jr, Jeremiah Agina, Ademola Balogun, Olabode Bankole, Chukwuemeka Evulukwu, and Ayorinde Emmanuel Adebayo.
According to prosecutors, the group operated complex internet fraud networks connected to Nigeria and targeted businesses, organisations, and individuals across several US states and other countries.
“Their objective was to gain access to e-mail accounts held by individual users. The co-conspirators would then monitor the communications and other activities of the individual email users to learn about their business practices and contacts,” the prosecutor’s office stated.
Investigators said the syndicate used compromised email accounts to send deceptive messages that appeared legitimate, tricking victims into transferring funds for fake business transactions.
Authorities said the fraud operation extended beyond the United States, with victims also identified in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia.
The stolen funds were allegedly moved through fraudulent bank accounts and money transfer systems designed to hide the source of the proceeds and distribute them among members of the network.
Prosecutors disclosed that the group generated approximately $125 million, with nearly $50 million converted into cashier’s cheques through a Chicago-based money service business.
In one example presented in court, a victim company reportedly transferred $2.7 million into a shell account controlled by members of the fraud ring.
Following investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), authorities seized nearly $1.2 million in cash, cryptocurrency, and cashier’s cheques, alongside luxury wristwatches and a residential property in Georgia.
The convicted individuals are expected to be sentenced at a later date based on the severity of their involvement and any previous criminal records.
