Nigerians Among 25 Convicted in U.S. $125 Million Cyber Fraud Crackdown
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Ten Nigerian nationals have been convicted in the United States for their roles in a large-scale cyber fraud operation that targeted individuals and businesses across multiple countries, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The group, which formed part of a wider network of 25 defendants, was found guilty of fraud and money laundering offences following proceedings at a federal court in Ohio. While some of the accused contested the charges before a jury, others entered guilty pleas.
Those convicted include Oluwafemi Awoyemi, Ayobami Christopher, Emmanuel Okereke, Olalekan Bashiru, Casey Adesulu Jr, Jeremiah Agina, Ademola Balogun, Olabode Bankole, Chukwuemeka Evulukwu, and Ayorinde Adebayo.
Prosecutors said the syndicate specialised in compromising email accounts belonging to businesses and individuals. After gaining access, they monitored communications to understand financial dealings, then deployed deceptive messages to redirect payments under the guise of legitimate transactions.
Investigators revealed that the operation extended beyond the United States, with victims identified in several countries across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
Once funds were obtained, the conspirators allegedly moved the money through a network of fraudulent bank accounts and intermediaries to conceal its origin. Authorities said this laundering process enabled the group to distribute proceeds across multiple channels.
In total, the fraud scheme generated an estimated $125 million. Prosecutors disclosed that a significant portion of the funds—around $50 million—was converted into cashier’s checks and processed through a financial outlet in the Chicago area linked to one of the co-defendants.
Court filings also detailed individual cases of large losses, including a business that transferred $2.7 million to an account controlled by members of the network.
Following investigations led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, law enforcement agents seized approximately $1.2 million in assets, including cash, cryptocurrency holdings, luxury watches, and a residential property in Georgia.
The convicted individuals are expected to be sentenced at a later date, with penalties to be determined based on their level of involvement, criminal history, and other legal considerations.
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