UTICA, NEW YORK – Obinna Obioha, a 31-year-old Nigerian national, has entered a guilty plea today in federal court, admitting to a sophisticated hacking and wire fraud scheme that siphoned millions from American companies. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Vadim D. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Obioha confessed to working with accomplices to hack into numerous U.S. and international email accounts, using knockoff email addresses to send fraudulent invoices. He admitted to at least 50 wire transfers involving $6.5 million from victims in New York, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, and Texas.
Obioha was apprehended on October 6, 2016, after flying from Nigeria to JFK International Airport. United States Attorney Hartunian emphasized the global reach of U.S. law enforcement, noting that no criminal enterprise can operate with impunity.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Thomas highlighted the agency’s dedication to justice, underscoring that distance and location do not impede the pursuit of criminals. Obioha faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 when sentenced on July 26, 2017.
This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Wayne A. Myers, demonstrating the collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies to combat financial fraud.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Cybercrime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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