Two Nigerians, Franklin Okwonna and Ebuka Umeti, were sentenced to prison in the U.S. for a $5 million wire fraud scheme. Okwonna received over five years, while Umeti was sentenced to ten years. Both must pay restitution, highlighting the severe consequences of cybercrime.
In a significant case of wire fraud, two Nigerian nationals, Franklin Okwonna, 34, and Ebuka Umeti, 35, have been sentenced by a U.S. federal court for their roles in a scheme that defrauded victims of over $5 million. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the sentences on September 4, 2024, detailing the fraudulent activities that occurred between February 2016 and July 2021.
Okwonna pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in May 2024, resulting in a sentence of five years and three months in prison. Umeti, who was convicted on June 13, received a harsher sentence of ten years in prison after being sentenced on August 27.
Both defendants were also ordered to pay nearly $5 million in restitution. According to court documents, the duo and their co-conspirators executed their fraudulent activities by sending phishing emails disguised as communications from trusted sources, such as banks or vendors. These emails contained malicious software that allowed them to access the victims' computer systems.
Once they gained access, Okwonna and Umeti exploited sensitive information to deceive victims into transferring money to accounts controlled by their co-conspirators. The court’s ruling underscores the severity of cybercrime and its detrimental impact on businesses in the U.S. and beyond, emphasizing the need for vigilance against such fraudulent schemes.
