A Nigerian man, Okechukwu Valentine Osuji, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for running a business email compromise (BEC) scheme that defrauded individuals and businesses of over $6.3 million. The sentence was handed down in New Haven, Connecticut, two years after his arrest and extradition from Malaysia.
Osuji, aged 39, worked with accomplices to trick victims into transferring money into fraudulent bank accounts. By pretending to be trusted organizations or individuals, they convinced businesses and individuals to send payments to accounts they controlled.
The scheme also involved “money mules,” who either knowingly or unknowingly helped transfer stolen money. Some of the victims were elderly individuals targeted through romance scams. One elderly victim testified that she sent her life savings, including Social Security checks, to someone she thought was her romantic partner, who turned out to be one of Osuji’s co-conspirators. This left her bankrupt and resulted in the repossession of her home.
Victims of the scheme included:
- A financial company in Connecticut
- A lending company in Colorado
- A nonprofit performing arts organization in Alaska
- A food and beverage company in New York
The fraudulent operation ran for years, tricking numerous victims into making payments.
Osuji was found guilty of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft in May 2024. He was also ordered to pay restitution to his victims.
Two of his co-conspirators faced different outcomes. Tolulope Bodunde, another Nigerian citizen, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison. John Wamuigah, still in Malaysia, is awaiting extradition.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Field Office and the Stamford Police Department. The arrest and extradition of Osuji were supported by Malaysia’s Royal Police and Attorney General’s Chambers.
This case highlights the importance of international cooperation in tackling cybercrime and holding perpetrators accountable.
