Ten Nigerian nationals have been convicted in the United States for their involvement in a sophisticated internet fraud operation that allegedly defrauded victims of about $125 million.
The United States Attorney’s Office announced the convictions, stating that the defendants were among 25 persons found guilty of fraud and money laundering charges after a four-day trial at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
Those convicted are 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.
Prosecutors said the group ran a coordinated cybercrime network with links to Nigeria, targeting individuals, businesses, and organisations across several U.S. states as well as other countries.
According to court findings, the syndicate gained unauthorised access to victims’ email accounts, monitored communications, and studied business relationships to facilitate fraudulent transactions.
“The objective was to gain access to email accounts belonging to users, monitor their communications, and identify business contacts and practices,” prosecutors said.
Authorities added that after gaining access, the suspects used compromised accounts to send convincing fake messages, deceiving victims into transferring funds for non-existent or manipulated business deals.
The scheme reportedly had international reach, with victims located in countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia.
Funds obtained from the operation were allegedly laundered through a network of bank accounts and money transfer channels to conceal their origin and distribute proceeds among members of the group.
Investigators said the syndicate generated about $125 million in total, with around $50 million converted into cashier’s cheques through a Chicago-based money service business used to further disguise the proceeds.
In one case cited in court, a company victim reportedly transferred $2.7 million into a shell account controlled by members of the group.
Following arrests by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), authorities said they recovered about $1.2 million in cash, cryptocurrency, cashier’s cheques, as well as luxury items including high-end wristwatches and a property in Georgia.
The convicted individuals are scheduled for sentencing at a later date, with penalties to be determined based on their level of involvement and criminal history.
