Sherman, Texas – June 18, 2025
A United States District Court sitting in Sherman, Texas, has handed down a combined sentence of nearly 160 years to five Nigerian nationals convicted of orchestrating a $17 million fraud scheme that defrauded over 100 victims, including individuals, corporations, and government agencies.
The convicted individuals were found guilty of engaging in a widespread cyber-enabled financial fraud, which involved phishing scams, business email compromise (BEC), and identity theft. Court documents revealed that the criminal ring systematically targeted vulnerable systems, redirecting funds and laundering proceeds through a complex web of international transactions.
U.S. authorities say the scam not only resulted in substantial financial losses but also disrupted the operations of several affected institutions. The prosecution emphasized the severity of the crimes and the need for deterrence in the face of rising international cybercrime.
Each defendant received varying prison terms based on their level of involvement, with some sentenced to over 30 years behind bars.
The ruling underscores the U.S. Justice Department’s resolve to clamp down on transnational cybercriminals, particularly those targeting American interests from abroad.
