ADVERTISEMENT

US authorities arrest 2 Nigerians, 6 others over $15m internet fraud

They have been charged with operating romance scams, fraudulent check scams, gold-buying scams and credit card scams.

According to indictments disclosed by the Acting Assistant Attorney-General of the US Department of Justice, John Cronan, charges brought against the suspects are related to wire fraud, money laundering, computer fraud and identity fraud.

The Nigerians, alongside three Ghanaians, two Americans and a Mexican, allegedly formed a fraud ring that targeted victims with internet related intrusions.

Cronan said, "The defendants allegedly unleashed a barrage of international fraud schemes that targeted US businesses and individuals, robbing them to the tune of approximately 15 million dollars."

ADVERTISEMENT

According to a report by News Agency of Nigeria, the suspects allegedly used spoofed email addresses and other anonymisation techniques to identify large financial transactions and initiated fraudulent email correspondence with relevant business parties. This led to the redirection of closing funds for real estate transactions to destinations in Africa.

Of all six suspects, three - two Ghanaians and a Nigerian - were arrested outside of the US as they await extradition while the other 5 were arrested in the US.

According to the indictment, the Africa-based suspects committed a series of intrusions into the servers and email systems of a Memphis-based real estate company in 2017. Some of them are also charged with operating romance scams, fraudulent check scams, gold-buying scams and credit card scams.

The indictment of the eight suspects is part of Operation Keyboard Warrior coordinated by the US and international law enforcement agencies to disrupt online frauds perpetrated from Africa.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Peter Obi reacts to FG's planned imposition of cybersecurity levy on Nigerians

Peter Obi reacts to FG's planned imposition of cybersecurity levy on Nigerians

FG fires back at Binance CEO's claims of govt officials demanding bribe

FG fires back at Binance CEO's claims of govt officials demanding bribe

New directive will make operators increase charges - PoS agents oppose CAC reg

New directive will make operators increase charges - PoS agents oppose CAC reg

US, France, Germany, and 11 countries Tinubu visited since becoming president

US, France, Germany, and 11 countries Tinubu visited since becoming president

Tinubu to open Funtua Inland Port in Katsina on May 9, boosting trade

Tinubu to open Funtua Inland Port in Katsina on May 9, boosting trade

CBN gives fresh update on bank deposit charges

CBN gives fresh update on bank deposit charges

Soldiers unlawfully kill 12, seize 518 cows, 177 rams, family demands justice

Soldiers unlawfully kill 12, seize 518 cows, 177 rams, family demands justice

List of CBN licensed deposit money banks, other financial institutions

List of CBN licensed deposit money banks, other financial institutions

Tinubu returns to Nigeria after 2 weeks of absence

Tinubu returns to Nigeria after 2 weeks of absence

Pulse Sports

DAVID AND VICTORIA BECKHAM: How the global soccer superstar and the Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer make and spend their millions

DAVID AND VICTORIA BECKHAM: How the global soccer superstar and the Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer make and spend their millions

Chelsea set to offer Romelu Lukaku and cash for Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen

Chelsea set to offer Romelu Lukaku and cash for Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen

Mikel Obi: Super Eagles legend goes viral speaking Hausa

Mikel Obi: Super Eagles legend goes viral speaking Hausa

Anthony Joshua: Nigerian-born boxer teams up with Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell and Cuppy in France

Anthony Joshua: Nigerian-born boxer teams up with Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell and Cuppy in France

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT