A Nigerian man, Onomen Uduebor, has been sentenced to three years and four months in prison by a U.S. court for his role in a tax fraud scheme that targeted American companies.
He told the court that he took part in the fraud because he was struggling to succeed in his music career.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Uduebor was extradited from the United Kingdom after being accused of participating in a fraud that involved filing fake tax returns worth over $1 million.
The report stated that between 2016 and 2017, Uduebor and his team used fake emails to contact HR departments of companies across the United States to get workers’ tax information.
They later used those details to submit over 300 false tax filings.
Uduebor admitted to submitting about 150 of the fake returns himself.
While the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) paid out roughly $140,000 in refunds, Uduebor said he personally received only $10,000 from the fraud.
Authorities were able to recover some of the money, but over $122,000 remains unreturned.
The court heard that Uduebor pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud conspiracy and identity theft.
During sentencing, U.S. District Judge James Robart said Uduebor played a major role in the scam and should have known better.
“He actively joined the scheme and helped carry it out. At 30, he was old enough to understand the consequences,” the judge said.
Reacting to statements from victims, Uduebor said he regretted his actions.
“I know saying sorry is not enough. I was just desperate to succeed in music. It’s not an excuse, but it’s the truth,” he told the court.
Uduebor was arrested in the UK in 2023, brought to the U.S. in early 2025, and entered a guilty plea in April.
