U.S. jury finds Nigerian man Ikponmwosa Erhinmwinrose guilty in $7.6m wire fraud case

A federal court in the United States has convicted Ikponmwosa Erhinmwinrose, a Nigerian national, for orchestrating a large-scale wire fraud scheme that siphoned millions of dollars from U.S. government relief programmes.

The verdict followed a jury trial in which prosecutors established that Erhinmwinrose played a central role in defrauding multiple COVID-19 emergency funding initiatives. The court found him guilty on several counts, including wire fraud, conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering offences.

Investigators told the court that the scheme targeted pandemic-era support systems such as the Paycheck Protection Program, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, state unemployment insurance schemes, and federal tax refunds. In total, more than $7.6 million was illegally obtained.

According to evidence presented, Erhinmwinrose and his associates used stolen personal information belonging to over 1,000 individuals to submit fraudulent applications. The stolen identities were used to impersonate both private citizens and legitimate businesses seeking financial relief.

To execute the fraud, Erhinmwinrose reportedly set up numerous email accounts under fictitious names and coordinated the submission of false claims. Once funds were released, the money was moved through multiple bank accounts to conceal its origin before being withdrawn as cash or transferred abroad.

The prosecution said the crimes had severe consequences for victims, many of whom were denied legitimate stimulus payments, received repayment demands for loans they never applied for, or were publicly accused of abusing government funds.

Sentencing is expected at a later date. If convicted on all counts at sentencing, Erhinmwinrose faces the possibility of a lengthy prison term under U.S. federal law.