A Nigerian man, Kenneth Godwin, has been indicted by a United States federal grand jury over his alleged involvement in a wire fraud scheme targeting a casino owned by a Native American tribe in South Dakota.
The indictment was announced on Wednesday by the United States Department of Justice, which charged Godwin with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and unauthorised access to a protected computer in furtherance of fraud.
According to US authorities, the suspect is believed to be residing in Nigeria and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. He may also be fined up to $250,000, in addition to supervised release and restitution payments.
Investigators alleged that Godwin and others carried out the scheme between May 2023 and March 2026 by embezzling funds from Prairie Wind Casino & Hotel in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.
The casino is owned and operated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
US prosecutors described the operation as an international business email compromise scheme that caused significant financial losses to the tribal business.
Speaking on the case, FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge, Christopher Dotson, said the investigation demonstrated the agency’s commitment to tackling fraud targeting businesses and communities across the United States.
“This international business e-mail compromise scheme caused substantial financial damage to a business owned and operated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe,” he said.
Dotson added that the FBI would continue working with its partners to identify and prosecute fraud suspects regardless of their location.
Another official, Parsons, also stressed that the FBI would pursue individuals accused of defrauding American citizens and organisations worldwide.
The Department of Justice, however, noted that the charges remain allegations and that Godwin is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, while Assistant US Attorney Ben Patterson is leading the prosecution.
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