US court convicts Nigerians, others over $215m fraud

A United States court in the Northern District of Ohio has convicted multiple individuals, including several Nigerians, for their roles in a large-scale international email fraud scheme that defrauded over 1,000 victims of about $215 million.

In a statement by the US Attorney’s Office, the convictions followed a jury verdict delivered on April 24, 2026, in Toledo, Ohio.

Among those found guilty of wire fraud conspiracy are Oluwafemi Michael Awoyemi, Aruan Drake and Peter Reed. Awoyemi and Drake were also convicted of money laundering conspiracy.

The trial was presided over by James R. Knepp II, while prosecutors said a total of 25 defendants were convicted for their involvement in the scheme, widely known as a business email compromise.

Other convicted individuals include Ayobami Osas Christopher, Emmanuel Okereke, Olalekan Bashiru, Jeremiah Agina, Ayorinde Emmanuel Adebayo, Ademola Balogun, Olabode Bankole, Chukwuemeka Evulukwu and Kingsley Owusu, alongside several American and foreign nationals.

Investigations were carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Cleveland Division, the US Postal Inspection Service, and the US Border Patrol Sandusky Bay Intelligence Unit.

According to court documents, the syndicate hacked into email accounts of individuals and organisations, monitored communications to understand business transactions, and then sent fraudulent payment requests that appeared legitimate.

Victims, believing the requests were genuine, transferred funds to accounts controlled by the conspirators.

The stolen money was then laundered through a network of shell companies, fraudulent bank accounts and cash transfer systems.

Prosecutors said about $50 million of the proceeds was channelled through cashier’s cheques processed by a Chicago-area money service business, where false identities and fraudulent Know-Your-Customer details were routinely used.

The fraud affected victims across 47 US states, including New York, California, Texas and Florida, as well as 19 countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and Australia.

Authorities also revealed that some victims lost millions in single transactions, including one case where a business transferred $2.7 million to an account controlled by the syndicate.

Assets seized during the investigation include nearly $1.2 million in cashier’s cheques, cryptocurrency, luxury wristwatches, cash, and a residential property in Georgia.

The court said sentencing for each defendant will be determined based on factors such as their roles in the scheme and prior criminal records.