Two Nigerians Sentenced in US for Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Schemes

The United States Department of Justice has sentenced two Nigerian nationals, Temitope Bashua and Uchechukwu Gideon Eze, to prison terms totaling just over four years for their roles in elaborate fraud operations amounting to $472,000. The convictions follow separate investigations into cyber and business email compromise schemes.

Temitope Bashua, 29, received a 30-month prison sentence and two years of supervised release after admitting involvement in schemes that included romance fraud, cyber intrusion, and unemployment benefits fraud. Between May 2020 and September 2022, Bashua and co-conspirators submitted fraudulent claims for unemployment insurance benefits and Economic Injury Disaster Loans, obtaining over $290,000 through the deception.

Bashua’s scheme involved impersonating victims using their personal information to submit fake benefit claims across Maryland and California. In addition, he and accomplices submitted fraudulent loan applications for fictitious businesses to the Small Business Administration, receiving funds meant for genuine applicants.

In a separate case, 46-year-old Uchechukwu Gideon Eze was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $182,201 in restitution. Eze orchestrated a sophisticated business email compromise that defrauded a small business in Clark County, Indiana, by creating fake email accounts impersonating company representatives and redirecting payments into accounts he controlled.

Eze reportedly spent much of the stolen money on personal purchases, including a vehicle, before fleeing the United States. He was later apprehended while attempting to re-enter the country from Canada and subsequently pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

The Department of Justice confirmed that both cases underscore the US government’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting international fraud schemes, especially those targeting small businesses and government relief programs. Authorities emphasized that coordination across borders is crucial in holding cybercriminals accountable and protecting victims from financial exploitation.

The sentences serve as a warning to individuals engaging in cross-border fraud, highlighting the legal consequences of cybercrime and identity theft. Both Bashua and Eze are expected to serve their sentences in federal facilities before undergoing supervised release.

The convictions demonstrate ongoing US efforts to tackle cyber-enabled financial crimes, particularly as fraudsters increasingly exploit online systems and global operations to misappropriate funds.