Crime
Nigerian-British Man Sentenced For Defrauding U.S. Entities In Multi-Million Dollar Email Scam
Oludayo Adeagbo, a 45-year-old Nigerian-British man, has been sentenced to seven years in prison in the United States for his involvement in a multimillion-dollar business email compromise (BEC) scheme that targeted various entities across the country.
According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, Adeagbo conspired in multiple cyber-enabled fraud schemes aimed at stealing over $3 million from businesses and local government entities in Texas, including a Houston-area college and several construction firms.
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Additionally, he and his co-conspirators allegedly defrauded a university in North Carolina of more than $1.9 million.
Arriving in the U.S. in August 2022, Adeagbo was extradited from the United Kingdom to face criminal charges filed in Charlotte and Houston.
He pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud on August 8.
The case was transferred from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
Nicole Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, emphasized the serious nature of Adeagbo’s actions, stating, “Adeagbo and his co-conspirators perpetrated transnational cyber-enabled fraud schemes that targeted schools, government entities, and companies across the United States, causing millions of dollars in losses.”
She expressed gratitude to the UK government for its cooperation in the extradition process.
Alamdar S. Hamdani, the attorney for the Southern District of Texas, described Adeagbo’s operation as a “sophisticated 21st-century cyber-criminal operation” that relied on fake email accounts and anonymous internet addresses to execute his schemes.
“BEC scams have become an epidemic,” Hamdani noted, highlighting the significant financial losses suffered by victims and the erosion of trust in digital communications.
Business email compromise schemes, often referred to as cyber-enabled financial fraud, involve perpetrators gaining unauthorized access to legitimate email accounts or creating accounts that closely resemble those of targeted individuals or businesses.
The scammers then send false wiring instructions, tricking victims into transferring funds to accounts controlled by the criminals.
The funds are typically quickly moved to other accounts, making recovery difficult.
. . . As Operatives Recover Dangerous Weapons, Other Assets
As part of the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to emplace peace and public safety across Nigeria, operatives attached to the Imo State Police Command achieved a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against terrorism.
The feat saw operatives neutralised three deadly terrorist kingpins associated with the Eastern Security Network (ESN), destroyed their camps and recovered weapons.
In a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday, the NPF wrote, “On January 24, 2025, operatives from the Command’s tactical Unit following credible intelligence launched a coordinated operation aimed at locating and dislodging the terrorist hideouts.
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“The police operatives located the terrorists’ hideout in a forest within Ihube, Okigwe LGA. Upon approach, the operatives came under heavy fire from suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists but demonstrated exceptional courage and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
“The operation resulted in the neutralization of 6 members of the terrorist group, with 3 being ESN kingpins identified as Ifeanyi Anayo a.k.a. Zuma De Rock (28), Chukwuemeka Odionyenfe a.k.a. Nmimi (22), and Kingsley Sunday (21)— all natives of Ogube, Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area, and the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, 552 rounds of live ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), several communication equipment, along with 8 operational motorcycles used by the group.
“Prior investigations had revealed the involvement of the group in several high-profile crimes, including the attack on the Owerri Correctional Center on April 5, 2021, the killing of five policemen in Umunna, Okigwe, on December 12, 2022, and the burning of Arondizuogu Police Station on February 8, 2022.
“The group was also involved in multiple kidnappings, including those of WAEC staff on June 5, 2023, four reverend sisters on August 21, 2022, and four Chinese nationals on December 6, 2023.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has commended the gallant operatives for their exceptional display of bravery and coordination.
“The IGP charges police operatives across commands and formations to sustain the tempo and implement the Force’s action plan aimed at reducing crimes drastically in the first quarter of the year 2025.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains unyielding in its goal towards ensuring national security and public safety.
“Members of the public are hereby urged to remain vigilant and work collaboratively with the Nigeria Police Force to promote peace and ensure a safer environment for all citizens.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Biztellers reports that Thankgod is facing allegations of involvement in a $345,000 fraud case.
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The arrest warrant had been issued by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court on January 16, 2025, following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking to compel Thankgod’s appearance in court.
During a court session on Friday, EFCC counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, applied to withdraw the warrant, stating that the charges had already been served on Thankgod’s lawyer, Mr. Monday Ubani, SAN, during open court proceedings.
She argued that the warrant was no longer necessary.
Justice Owoeye granted the application and formally vacated the bench warrant.
Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, appeared in the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to challenge charges of N12.3 billion fraud.
Biztellers reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count indictment against Otudeko, along with Olabisi Onasanya, former Managing Director of FirstBank Plc., Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
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During the proceedings, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN), raised an objection, stating that the charge had not been properly served to Otudeko or his co-defendants.
Olanipekun emphasized this issue as a reason for protest in court.
The EFCC has accused the individuals and the company of fraudulently obtaining N12.3 billion under false pretenses.
More to follow………..
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