Two Nigerians who served in the US Air Force have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in an international cyber fraud scheme that targeted businesses and nonprofit organisations across the United States.
Chijioke Timothy Odimegwu was sentenced to 111 months in federal prison, while Harafat Mogaji received a 78-month sentence.
The two men were found to have participated in a network that used stolen credit card information and phishing emails to divert payments into accounts controlled by members of the scheme.
Businesses and nonprofits targeted
According to the information provided, the fraud network targeted organisations across the United States.
The scheme involved obtaining stolen credit card information and using phishing emails to manipulate payment and financial processes.
Funds were then redirected into accounts controlled by the network.
The operation resulted in substantial losses for individual victims.
Iowa victim lost $1.68 million
One victim in Iowa lost approximately $1.68 million as a result of the scheme.
Another victim in Ohio was defrauded of more than $720,000.
Together, those two losses exceeded $2.4 million.
The figures relate to the losses identified in the case and do not necessarily represent the total amount involved across the entire international network.
Prison sentences and restitution
In addition to their prison sentences, both men were ordered to repay victims.
Odimegwu was ordered to pay approximately $366,600 in restitution, while Mogaji was ordered to pay approximately $995,700.
The difference between the losses attributed to the victims and the individual restitution orders reflects the specific financial findings and responsibilities established in the case.
FBI and Air Force investigators involved
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with assistance from the US Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
The involvement of the Air Force investigative agency reflects the defendants’ connection to the US military.
The case demonstrates how cyber-enabled fraud can cross borders while targeting organisations thousands of kilometres away.
Cyber fraud continues to exploit financial systems
Phishing remains a commonly used method in cyber-enabled financial crime because it can exploit human trust rather than requiring attackers to directly break into sophisticated systems.
Fraudsters can use convincing messages to manipulate employees into changing payment details or disclosing sensitive financial information.
Once funds are redirected, tracing and recovering the money can become significantly more difficult, particularly when multiple accounts and jurisdictions are involved.
The prison sentences handed to Odimegwu and Mogaji bring proceedings against the two defendants to a significant stage, while the broader investigation into the international network highlights the increasingly global nature of cyber-enabled financial crime.
