Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty to $4.1 Million Wire Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme in U.S.

James Junior Aliyu, a 30-year-old Nigerian national, has pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering for his role in a multimillion-dollar business email compromise (BEC) scheme.

Aliyu was extradited from South Africa to the United States following his indictment in June 2019 alongside two co-defendants, Kosi Goodness Simon-Ebo and Henry Onyedikachi Echefu. U.S. authorities said the group defrauded individuals and businesses by hacking email accounts and sending spoofed messages with fraudulent wiring instructions.

According to court records, Aliyu managed fraudulent transactions worth at least $4.16 million, causing actual losses exceeding $1.57 million. He personally controlled over $1.19 million of the proceeds and laundered the funds through account transfers, withdrawals, and cashier’s checks to conceal their origin.

The guilty plea, announced by U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland and Homeland Security Investigations officials, concludes proceedings against the last of three Nigerians charged in the scheme. Eight other defendants have pleaded guilty in related cases.

Aliyu must forfeit at least $1.19 million and pay restitution of $2.39 million to victims. He faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman on November 24.