Thief from Nigeria Sentenced for $Million Email Scam

Greenbelt, Maryland — A 31-year-old Nigerian national known for his role in a multi-million-dollar email fraud scheme is now facing federal prison. James Junior Aliyu, who was residing in South Africa during the heist, was sentenced to 90 months in federal lockup by U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman.

Aliyu stood accused of orchestrating a sophisticated business email compromise (BEC) scheme that defrauded unsuspecting victims out of millions. The defendant’s criminal activities were meticulously planned and executed, targeting corporate executives with the promise of high-value transactions that turned out to be scams.

According to federal prosecutors, Aliyu and his conspirators used stolen credentials to gain access to company email accounts, then they posed as senior management to dupe employees into wiring funds to fraudulent offshore bank accounts. The scheme caused significant financial losses for the targeted businesses, with some reporting millions in damages.

“James Junior Aliyu’s actions were not just a violation of federal law but also an attack on our economy,” said a representative from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “We will continue to pursue those who engage in such criminal activities and bring them to justice.”

The sentencing follows a thorough investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Aliyu was extradited from South Africa to face charges in Kansas, where his fraudulent activities were carried out.

“The sentence handed down today serves as a stark reminder that cybercrimes will not be tolerated,” concluded the judge. “Aliyu’s punishment reflects the serious nature of this crime and the severity of the penalties for those who commit it.”

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