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10 Nigerians convicted in US over $125m internet fraud scheme

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Ten Nigerian nationals have been convicted in the United States for their involvement in a large-scale transnational internet fraud scheme that defrauded victims of approximately $125 million.

The convictions were announced by the United States Attorney’s Office, which disclosed that the Nigerians were among 25 defendants found guilty of fraud and money laundering charges after a four-day trial at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

Those convicted include Oluwafemi Michael Awoyemi, Ayobami Osas Christopher, Emmanuel “Omo Igbo” Okereke, Olalekan “Ola Bash” Bashiru, Casey Adesulu Jr, Jeremiah Agina, Ademola Balogun, Olabode Bankole, Chukwuemeka Evulukwu and Ayorinde Emmanuel Adebayo.

According to prosecutors, the group operated sophisticated cyber fraud networks with links to Nigeria, targeting individuals, businesses, and organisations across multiple states in the United States and other countries.

“Their objective was to gain access to e-mail accounts held by individual users. The co-conspirators would then monitor the communications and other activities of the individual email users to learn about their business practices and contacts,” the prosecutor’s office said.

Investigators revealed that once access was obtained, the compromised accounts were used to send highly convincing fraudulent messages, deceiving victims into making payments for what appeared to be legitimate business transactions.

Authorities noted that the operation had a global reach, with victims identified in countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia.

Funds obtained from the scheme were reportedly channelled through a network of fraudulent bank accounts and transfer systems to conceal their origin and facilitate distribution among members of the syndicate.

In total, the group is said to have generated about $125 million, with roughly $50 million allegedly converted into cashier’s cheques processed through a Chicago-based money service business used to move the illicit proceeds.

In one instance cited in court, a victim company transferred $2.7 million into a shell account controlled by members of the group.

Following their arrest by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, authorities recovered nearly $1.2 million in cash, cryptocurrency, and cashier’s cheques, as well as luxury items including high-end wristwatches 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 respective roles in the offences and any prior criminal history.



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Five terrorists bag 25-year jail terms, forfeit vehicle, 15 rifles to FG

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Five terrorists put on trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Department of the State Service, DSS, have been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment each for their complicity in attacks in Niger and Kwara states.

They include Niger Republic nationals and their three Nigerian counterparts, who are based in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The convicted terrorists are Yusuf Mohammed (Aka Bature), Goni Ibrahim Bindi (Aka Goni Mutuwa), Sani Tukur (Aka Danladi), Mubarak Ibrahim and Musa Alhaji Adamu (Aka Gado Banufe).

Justice Binta Nyako ordered their imprisonment on Thursday when they were arraigned on four-count terrorism charge, to which they pleaded guilty to.

In count one and two, which bordered on conspiracy and rendering services to Boko Haram members in Borgu LGA of Niger State, the hudge slammed 25 years each on them.

In count three, in which they pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of firearms, Justice Nyako sentenced them to seven years each.

Similarly, in count four where they admitted concealing information on the activities of the Boko Haram members in a forest in Borgu LGA of Niger State, the convicts bagged 25 years imprisonment each.

Aside their imprisonment, Justice Nyako ordered that the Golf car they used to convey 15 AK-103 rifles from Niger Republic to Nigeria be forfeited to the Federal Government along with the firearms.

The charges against them bordered on rendering assistance to a terrorist by agreeing to convey rifles, being found with arms and ammunition while concealed, illegal possession and dealing with firearms and concealment.

Following their admission of guit, the prosecution counsel prayed that the defendants be convicted as charged and also sought the court’s permission to tender from the bar the forwarding letter which contained the investigation report as well as the statements of the defendants.

The defence counsel had no objection to the application.  

The exhibits were subsequently admitted against them and marked as A, 1-5.

Also, 15 units of AK-103 rifles complete with its magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were tendered  with no objection from the defence counsel.

They were admitted and marked as B, 1-14 and the ammunition marked as C series.

The court thereafter sentenced the five convicts, with Justice Nyako ordering that they should serve their jail term in a place designated by the Minister of Interior.

The charge against the convicts read:

COUNT 1

That you, Yusuf Muhammad (a.k.a. Bature), adult, male, thirty-three (33) years old of Gofanti village, Borgu LGA, Niger State, Goni Ibrahim Bindi (a.k.a. Goni Mutua), adult, male, twenty-three (23) years old of Awadiri, Diffa region, Republic of Niger, Sani Tukur (a.k.a. Danladi), adult, male, twenty five 25) years old of Sansani Displaced Persons Camp, Diffa region, Republic of Niger, Mubarak Ibrahim, adult, male twenty eight (28) years old of Gofanti village, Borgu LGA of Niger State, and Musa Alhaji Adamu (a.k.a Gado Banufe) between 237 and 24″ April, 2026 did commit an offence, to wit: jointly conspired to render assistance to a terrorist by agreeing and intentionally playing various roles towards conveying fifteen (15) AK 103 rifles as well as about one thousand, four hundred and thirty-four (1,434) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from Diffa region, Republic of Niger to one Malam Ahmad, a member of the Boko Haram terrorist group based in Borgu LGA of Niger State. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

COUNT 2

That you, Yusuf Muhammad (a.k.a. Bature), adult, male, thirty-three (33) years old of Gofanti village, Borgu LGA, Niger State, Goni Ibrahim Bindi (a.k.a. Goni Mutua), adult, male, twenty-three (23) years old of Awadiri, Diffa region, Republic of Niger, Sani Tukur (a.k.a. Danladi), adult, male, twenty five 25) years old of Sansani Displaced Persons Camp, Diffa region, Republic of Niger, Mubarak Ibrahim, adult, male twenty eight (28) years old of Gofanti village, Borgu LGA of Niger State, and Musa Alhaji Adamu (a.k.a Gado Banufe) between 237 ne 24 Arrl 8 se won on eff ae) oe weer ndered Support for commission of act of terrorism to a terrorist by agreeing and conveying fifteen (15) AK 103 rifles as weil as about one thousand, four hundred and thirty-four (1,434) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from Diffa region, Republic of Niger on behalf of one Malam Ahmad, a member of the Boko Haram terrorist group based in Borgu LGA of Niger State. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 13(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

COUNT 3

That you, Goni Ibrahim Bindi (a.k.a. Goni Mutuwa), adult, male, twentythree (23) years old of Awadiri, Diffa region, Republic of Niger,Sani Tukur (a.k.a. Danladi), adult, male, twenty five (25 years old of Sansani Displaced Persons Camp, Diffa region, Republic of Niger and Musa Alhaji Adamu (a.k.a Gado Banufe), sometime between 23″ and 24″ April, 2026 at Kwangila area, along Kano-Kaduna express, Zaria; within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: you had in your possession fifteen (15) AK 103 rifles and about one thousand, four hundred and thirty-four (1,434) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition carefully concealed in sacks containing dried fish loaded in a blue Volkswagen (golf 3) car with Republic of Niger registered plate number BT 9990 DA. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (a) (i), and (b) (ii) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28 LFN,  2004.

COUNT 4

That you, Yusuf Muhammad (a.K.a, Bature), adult, male, thirty-three (33) years old of Gofanti village, Borgu LGA, Niger State, sometimes between February 2025 and April, 2026 did commit an offence, to wit: you had information which you know or believed to be of material assistance in securing the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of Malam Ahmad, a known terrorist hibernating in Gandu forest, Borgu LGA of Niger State, and you failed to disclose such information to law enforcement or security officers. You thereby committed an offence in contravention of Section 16 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.



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Police arrest suspected fraudsters in Delta, recover counterfeit US dollars

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Operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit have arrested four suspected fraudsters in Asaba, Delta State.

Counterfeit US dollars amounting to $1,600 was recovered from the suspects.

The suspects, named as Joshua Nwaosa, Daniel Arhewe, Prince Chukwuma, and John Egwuba, were arrested on June 9, 2026.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

“On 9 June 2026, operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, commenced surveillance on a five-man syndicate reportedly involved in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public using counterfeit United States dollar bills while operating in a red unregistered Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV.

“The intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of four suspects identified as Joshua Nwaosa, Daniel Arhewe, Prince Chukwuma, and John Egwuba along Nnebisi Road, Asaba.”

“During preliminary interrogation, the suspects confessed to operating from a hideout in Asaba.

“A follow-up operation was immediately conducted at the location, where operatives recovered One Thousand Six Hundred (1,600) counterfeit United States dollar notes and military camouflage concealed within the premises.

“Investigation is ongoing to unravel the full scope of the syndicate’s activities,” the statement said.



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Police arrest four over 2024 armed robbery case in Kano

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The Zone One Police Headquarters in Kano has arrested four suspects over an armed robbery incident that took place in the state in 2024.

The police said the case followed a complaint about a violent attack on May 18, 2024, at about 1:30 am, when armed men invaded the residence of Yunusa Haruna Aliyu at Hotoro Yandodo Quarters in Kano.

The attackers, armed with guns and cutlasses, allegedly stole a 2015 Honda Accord, mobile phones, jewellery, wristwatches, and other valuables worth millions of naira.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer for Zone One, DSP Abdullahi Hussaini, detectives acted on the directive of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone One Headquarters, Kano, AIG Garba Ahmed.

He said, “Upon receiving the case, the Assistant Inspector-General directed detectives of the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department to carry out a thorough investigation into the matter.”

The investigation led to the arrest of three principal suspects identified as Yakubu Adamu, also known as Danfulani, 28; Abubakar Hassan, also called Baba, 21; and Barhama Ayatullah, also known as Mai Zangi, 25. All are residents of different parts of Kano.

A fourth suspect, Abdulgaffar Sidi, 25, was also arrested for allegedly receiving mobile phones stolen during the robbery.

The police further revealed that the stolen vehicle was taken out of Nigeria and sold in Maradi, Niger Republic.

The statement added, “Efforts are ongoing to recover the stolen vehicle and arrest other members of the syndicate who are currently at large.”

The Assistant Inspector-General assured that the command remains committed to ensuring that all criminal cases are properly investigated and offenders brought to justice, regardless of how long ago the crime was committed.

The suspects will be charged in court after investigations are concluded.



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