Two Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to prison by a U.S. federal court for their roles in a sophisticated wire fraud scheme that defrauded American companies of over $5 million.
Franklin Ifeanyichukwu Okwonna, 34, and Ebuka Raphael Umeti, 35, were sentenced in the Eastern District of Virginia for their involvement in a business email compromise (BEC) scheme that spanned several years. Okwonna received a sentence of five years and three months, while Umeti was handed a ten-year prison term. Both were also ordered to pay nearly $5 million in restitution.
The scheme, which operated from February 2016 to July 2021, involved sending phishing emails to businesses, masquerading as trusted sources such as banks or vendors. Once the victims opened these emails, their computers were infected with malicious software, granting the fraudsters unauthorized access to sensitive information. This access was then exploited to deceive employees into authorizing wire transfers to accounts controlled by the conspirators.
The U.S. Department of Justice, in collaboration with the FBI Washington Field Office, led the investigation. The case highlights the ongoing threat posed by cybercriminals and the international efforts required to bring them to justice.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri emphasized the importance of such prosecutions in deterring future cybercrimes. “This case demonstrates our commitment to protecting American businesses from cyber threats and holding perpetrators accountable, no matter where they are located,” she stated.
The successful extradition of Okwonna and Umeti was made possible through the cooperation of international law enforcement agencies, including Kenya’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Directorate of Criminal Investigation.
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