A US court has sentenced Okechukwu Valentine Osuji, a 39-year-old Nigerian national, to eight years in prison for his role in a $6 million business email compromise (BEC) scheme.
Osuji was found guilty of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
The scheme, which operated across multiple countries, including the US, involved impersonating trusted entities in electronic communications to deceive victims into transferring funds to accounts controlled by the fraudsters.
The perpetrators used “money mules” to receive and launder stolen funds, causing significant financial harm with losses and intended losses totaling over $6 million.
Among the victims was an elderly woman who lost her life savings and home after being manipulated through a romance scam.
Osuji was arrested in Malaysia in 2022 and extradited to the US for trial.
At his sentencing, the court ordered him to pay restitution to the victims.
The case was investigated by the FBI New Haven Field Office and the Stamford Police Department, with assistance from international authorities.
The sentencing was announced by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and US Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut. They reiterated their commitment to combating cybercrime and transnational fraud.
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