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The Digest:

More than 1,000 victims across 19 countries were defrauded of about $215 million in a sprawling business email compromise scheme, leading to convictions of Nigerian nationals, the US attorney's office has said. Twenty-five defendants were convicted on April 24. Among them were four Nigerian nationals and five naturalised US citizens of Nigerian descent. The scheme involved hacking email accounts and crafting fraudulent payment requests.

Key Points:
  • Victims were located in the US, UK, Germany, UAE, Australia, and 14 other countries.
  • One victim's business sent $2.7 million to a shell company account.
  • Seized items included luxury watches worth over $215,000 and a Georgia residence.
  • The FBI, US Postal Inspection Service, and Border Patrol conducted the investigation.
  • A Chicago-area money service business owner was a co-defendant.

Each defendant's sentence will be determined based on their role and criminal history.

Sources: The Cable, Punch