Nigerian National Convicted Of Business Email Compromise Scheme: Feds

STAMFORD, CT — A federal jury in New Haven last week convicted a Nigerian national for operating a business email compromise scheme from multiple countries, including the United States, which scammed various companies out of over $6 million, U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery said in a news release.

A jury convicted Okechuckwu Valentine Osuji, 39, of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, Avery said.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24 and faces a mandatory minimum of two years on the identity theft count and a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison on the wire fraud and conspiracy counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI New Haven Field Office and the Stamford Police Department, including SPD investigator and FBI Task Force Officer Michael Stempien, investigated the case.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, Royal Malaysia Police, and Malaysian Attorney General’s Chambers provided assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Osuji from Malaysia.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Osuji, 39, and his co-conspirators targeted specific individuals and businesses by masquerading as trustworthy entities in electronic communications to obtain money, Avery said.

They utilized unwitting and witting "money mules" to receive fraud proceeds in their bank accounts, and then transferred those funds to accounts under the control of Osuji and his co-conspirators or to convert the stolen proceeds to cash for further transfer, Avery said.

Over the course of the scheme’s years-long operation, numerous victims were tricked into transferring funds into bank accounts the victims believed were under the control of legitimate recipients of the funds as part of normal business operations, when in reality, the bank accounts were controlled by Osuji and his co-conspirators, according to Avery.

The victims included a Connecticut-based financial company, a Colorado-based lending company, an Alaska-based nonprofit performing arts organization, a New York-based food and beverage company, and others.

As a result of the scheme, losses and intended losses totaled over $6.3 million, Avery said.

"While it is often difficult to identify and bring to justice cybercriminals operating overseas, today’s verdict demonstrates the expertise of the FBI and Stamford Police in uncovering this criminal network, and the shared commitment of our counterparts in Malaysia to ensure that fraudsters are held accountable in a court of law," said Avery in a news release. "We will continue to work to root out those who engage in internet fraud schemes, no matter where in the world they operate, and achieve justice for victims of these crimes."

"Osuji led a network of scammers in Malaysia and elsewhere in a sophisticated business email compromise scheme to defraud victims of millions of dollars," added Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. "Today’s conviction is another example of how the Department’s collaboration with international law enforcement partners enables us to bring cybercriminals to justice in the United States."

"Today’s verdict provides a bit of closure to some victims of these often financially crippling crimes," said Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller of the FBI New Haven Division. "It also displays our international ability to bring criminal actors to justice despite the complexities of their crimes. We want to thank all of our law enforcement partners here and abroad, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s office, for their dedication to serving justice."

Osuji was arrested in Malaysia and extradited to the United States in 2022. His co-conspirator, John Wamuigah, remains in Malaysia and is pending extradition proceedings, Avery said, noting another co-conspirator, Tolulope Bodunde, pleaded guilty on Feb. 16, and is awaiting sentencing.

"If you believe that you have been victimized by Valentine Osuji, John Wamuigah, or Tolulope Bodunde, please contact the FBI New Haven Field Office at 203-777-6311 and ask for FBI Task Force Officer Michael Stempien," Avery said.

Avery said the defendants are believed to have used the following accounts in perpetuation of their crimes (partially redacted where necessary, to obscure the names of stolen identities):

• Ew---leeu------rrg@gmail.com
• Lui-fra----la@gmail.com
• shawncarta@gmail.com
• agoggiia@gmail.com
• ksniper100@gmail.com or kindsnipes@gmail.com

To learn more about business email compromise scams, click here.