At least ten individuals of Nigerian origin have been convicted in the United States for their roles in a sprawling international wire fraud and email hacking scheme that defrauded more than 1,000 victims of approximately $215 million.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, a total of 25 defendants were found guilty in connection with the criminal network, which operated across 47 U.S. states and 19 countries.
Among those convicted are Nigerian nationals and several naturalised U.S. citizens of Nigerian descent who participated in what authorities described as a “business email compromise” (BEC) scheme.
The convictions followed a federal trial in Toledo, Ohio, where key defendants were found guilty of wire fraud conspiracy, with some also convicted of money laundering offences.
Investigators revealed that the syndicate hacked into email accounts belonging to individuals, companies, and organisations. After gaining access, the fraudsters monitored communications to understand financial transactions and business relationships. They then sent carefully crafted fraudulent emails—often impersonating trusted contacts—requesting payments that appeared legitimate.
Victims, unaware of the deception, transferred large sums into accounts controlled by the criminals. In some cases, millions of dollars were diverted in single transactions, with proceeds laundered through shell companies and complex financial channels to conceal their origin.
Authorities said the scheme impacted victims across multiple sectors and countries, highlighting the global reach and sophistication of cyber-enabled financial crimes. The investigation involved several U.S. agencies, including the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Sentencing for the convicted individuals is expected to follow, with penalties likely to vary based on each defendant’s level of involvement and criminal history.
Law enforcement officials say the case underscores the growing threat of international cyber fraud and the need for stronger vigilance in digital communications and financial transactions.