US INDICTS NIGERIAN OVER ALLEGED $300,000 ROMANCE, BUSINESS EMAIL FRAUD
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By; Aina Daniel
A United States federal grand jury has indicted a 45-year-old Nigerian, Okeoghene Patrick Udugba, on charges of money laundering, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and mail fraud over an alleged romance scam and business email compromise scheme involving more than $300,000.
The indictment, announced on Wednesday by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, alleges that Udugba, who resides in Frisco, Texas, collaborated with others in executing a series of sophisticated online fraud operations.
According to prosecutors, the syndicate used social media platforms and dating websites to establish fake romantic relationships with victims across several US states.
The victims were allegedly manipulated into serving as “money mules,” receiving and cashing fraudulently obtained cheques on behalf of the group.
Investigators further alleged that members of the network sent spoofed emails from Nigeria while impersonating officials of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
The fraudulent emails reportedly instructed that FWS grant funds be used to settle fake invoices, falsely claiming that the money mules were contractors and consultants who had carried out work on grant-funded projects.
As a result, the agency’s grant administrator allegedly approved and released payments exceeding $300,000.
The US Attorney’s Office said the investigation is being led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd.
Authorities noted that the prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force’s broader efforts to combat transnational organised crime and financial fraud.
If convicted, Udugba faces a maximum penalty of 30 years’ imprisonment, supervised release after serving any custodial sentence, and a substantial fine.
However, prosecutors emphasised that the indictment is merely an allegation, stressing that the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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