Nigerian Hacker Amachukwu Extradited, Faces $11M Fraud

NEW YORK, NY – Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu, 39, of Nigeria, is facing a barrage of federal charges after being extradited from France yesterday, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Amachukwu, also known as “Chukwuemeka Victor Eletuo” and “So Kwan Leung,” allegedly masterminded a complex scheme involving hacking, identity theft, and millions in fraudulent claims against the IRS and other government agencies.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton laid out the scope of the alleged crimes: “As alleged, Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu took part in a scheme to hack into U.S. tax businesses, trade in the stolen identifying information of victims, and defraud the IRS and other governmental bodies.” The indictment details a network of Nigeria-based conspirators, including Kingsley Uchelue Utulu, who targeted U.S. tax preparation businesses through spearphishing emails as early as 2019. Once inside, they stole the personal data of thousands of customers.

The stolen identities weren’t just hoarded. Prosecutors say Amachukwu and his crew filed fraudulent tax returns, attempting to siphon off at least $8.4 million from the IRS and state tax authorities, successfully pocketing $2.5 million. But the greed didn’t stop there. The scheme extended to the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, netting the conspirators an additional $819,000 in fraudulent payouts. The operation spanned multiple states, including New York and Texas.

Beyond the tax fraud, Amachukwu is accused of running a separate, equally audacious scam. He allegedly peddled bogus investments in “standby letters of credit” that simply didn’t exist, raking in millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims. This wasn’t a petty theft operation; it was a calculated, large-scale fraud designed to exploit the U.S. financial system. The FBI’s Christopher G. Raia emphasized the agency’s commitment to pursuing these cases: “If you are attempting to enrich yourself by scamming Americans from behind a keyboard, the FBI…is willing and able to bring you to the United States to face justice.”

Amachukwu made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger today, with the case assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe. He faces a hefty list of charges: one count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusions (5 years max), two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud (20 years max each), two counts of wire fraud (20 years max each), and aggravated identity theft (mandatory consecutive 2 years). The government cautions that these are potential sentences and the final determination rests with the judge.

The investigation, led by the FBI, highlights the growing threat of transnational cybercrime. Clayton praised the “outstanding investigative work” of the bureau, underscoring the collaborative effort needed to combat these increasingly sophisticated schemes. Amachukwu’s extradition serves as a stark warning: no matter where criminals hide, U.S. law enforcement will pursue them relentlessly.

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