Nigerian National Okechuckwu Osuji Gets 60 Years for $6.3M Business Email Scam

A Nigerian national has been convicted of running a years-long business email compromise scheme that netted over $6.3 million in losses and intended losses, with victims across the US and abroad falling prey to the scam.

Okechuckwu Valentine Osuji, 39, was found guilty by a federal jury in New Haven of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The convicted scammer faces a mandatory minimum of two years on the identity theft count and a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison on the wire fraud and conspiracy counts.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Osuji and his co-conspirators targeted specific individuals and businesses by masquerading as trustworthy entities in electronic communications to obtain money. They utilized unwitting and witting “money mules” to receive fraud proceeds in their bank accounts, and then transferred those funds to accounts under the control of Osuji and his co-conspirators or to convert the stolen proceeds to cash for further transfer.

The victims of Osuji’s scheme included a Connecticut-based financial company, a Colorado-based lending company, an Alaska-based nonprofit performing arts organization, a New York-based food and beverage company, and others.

“While it is often difficult to identify and bring to justice cybercriminals operating overseas, today’s verdict demonstrates the expertise of the FBI and Stamford Police in uncovering this criminal network, and the shared commitment of our counterparts in Malaysia to ensure that fraudsters are held accountable in a court of law,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery. “We will continue to work to root out those who engage in internet fraud schemes, no matter where in the world they operate, and achieve justice for victims of these crimes.”

Osuji was arrested in Malaysia and extradited to the United States in 2022. His alleged co-conspirator, John Wamuigah, remains in Malaysia and is pending extradition proceedings. Another co-conspirator, Tolulope Bodunde, pleaded guilty on February 17.

Osuji is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

“Today’s conviction is the result of hard work and close collaboration between the FBI and our local and international partners,” said Executive Assistant Director Timothy R. Langan Jr. of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Branch. “Together, we will work aggressively to bring to justice anyone who engages in fraud and theft against Americans, no matter where they are in the world.”

The verdict comes as a welcome relief to victims of these often financially crippling crimes, who will now be able to begin the process of rebuilding their lives.