A U.S. court in New Haven, Connecticut, has sentenced 39-year-old Nigerian national, Okechukwu Valentine Osuji, to eight years in prison for his role in a $6 million business email compromise (BEC) fraud scheme.
Osuji was convicted of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Operating across multiple countries, including the United States, he and his accomplices impersonated trusted entities through electronic communications, targeting businesses and individuals.
The fraud scheme impacted various sectors, such as finance, non-profit organizations, and food services, tricking victims into transferring funds into accounts controlled by the fraudsters. The group also used “money mules,” both knowingly and unknowingly, to receive and launder the stolen funds. Among the victims was an elderly woman who lost her life savings and home through a romance scam.
Osuji was arrested in Malaysia in 2022 and extradited to the United States. He was found guilty on May 1, 2024. At his sentencing, the court ordered him to pay restitution to the victims. The scheme caused over $6 million in financial losses and intended losses, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Co-conspirators in the case include Nigerian national Tolulope Bodunde, who received a two-year prison sentence in October, and John Wamuigah, who is currently in Malaysia awaiting extradition.
The investigation was led by the FBI New Haven Field Office and the Stamford Police Department, with assistance from international partners, including the Royal Malaysia Police.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut emphasized their commitment to combating cybercrime and transnational fraud in their statement announcing the sentence.
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