Washington, D.C., United States | September 19, 2025
A Nigerian man has been accused by United States authorities of hacking into the computer systems of an American university and stealing $235,000 through a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme.
According to U.S. Department of Justice officials, the suspect allegedly gained unauthorized access to the university’s payment platforms, diverting funds meant for legitimate vendors into accounts under his control. Investigators disclosed that the operation involved phishing techniques and the creation of fake email addresses designed to impersonate university staff.
Court filings revealed that the stolen funds were quickly moved through multiple bank accounts in the United States and overseas in a bid to obscure their origins. Officials said the scheme also included attempts to recruit accomplices to act as money mules in exchange for commissions.
The university, which has not been named for security reasons, reported the breach after detecting irregularities in its accounts. The case was subsequently handed over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which traced the activities back to the Nigerian national.
Prosecutors confirmed that the suspect now faces charges of wire fraud, computer intrusion, and aggravated identity theft, crimes that carry significant prison terms under U.S. federal law if convicted.
American officials have reiterated their commitment to combating cybercrime, noting that many schemes targeting U.S. institutions are coordinated from abroad, often involving cross-border networks.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the growing threat of cyber fraud and the need for international collaboration to strengthen digital security.
