Nigerian Man Lands 4 Years for $1.1M Email Scam

PHILADELPHIA – In a brazen display of greed, Victor Uzor, a 36-year-old Nigerian national, has been brought to justice for his role in a $1.1 million business email compromise scheme.

Uzor, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft on January 2, 2024, was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and over $1 million in restitution by United States District Court Judge Kelley Brisbon Hodge.

The scheme, which netted Uzor and his co-conspirators a staggering $1.1 million, involved another member of the conspiracy posing as a legitimate vendor and emailing a false invoice to the victim organization. Uzor’s role in the offense was to open a series of bank accounts using the identities of real people, who had no connection to the crime.

Co-conspirators would then arrange for the victims to send money to the accounts opened by Uzor, who would quickly withdraw the funds and move them to other accounts before the scam could be discovered.

Among the scheme’s victims was a nonprofit provider of mental health care located in Doylestown, PA. The organization, which provides vital services to those in need, was shortchanged by Uzor’s actions, leaving its employees, patients, and the community to pick up the pieces.

“Victor Uzor victimized the people whose identities he stole to facilitate this scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero. “Then he helped prey upon the primary targets of the business email compromise, including a nonprofit organization in Bucks County dedicated to providing behavioral health care for the underprivileged and underserved – a safety net for those in need of care.”

The FBI, led by Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia, played a key role in dismantling the scheme and bringing Uzor to justice. “The FBI works each and everyday to dismantle fraud schemes that affect our citizens,” said Jacobs. “Alongside our partners, we will continue to bring to justice criminals who orchestrate these scams, and protect the hard-earned assets of our citizens.”

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Livermore. Uzor’s actions are a stark reminder of the devastating impact of business email compromise schemes on individuals and organizations. As the Grimy Times continues to shine a light on these types of crimes, we remain committed to holding accountable those who would seek to profit from the suffering of others.

The full extent of Uzor’s involvement in the scheme is still unknown, but one thing is clear – his actions have caused irreparable harm to countless individuals and organizations. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.