Introduction: Extradition of Nigerian Man for Massive Fraud
Alex Ogunshakin, a 40-year-old Nigerian man, has been extradited to Nebraska to face charges related to a $6 million fraud scheme.
This extensive scam involved tricking business employees into wire transfers and impersonating a love interest. Ogunshakin’s extradition marks a significant development in this case.
The FBI’s Most Wanted List
Prior to his extradition, Alex Ogunshakin held the dubious distinction of being at the top of the FBI Cyber’s Most Wanted List.
The charges against him stemmed from a 2019 fraud indictment filed in Omaha, Nebraska.
Successful Extradition and Court Appearance
Acting U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr announced the successful extradition of Ogunshakin, who made his initial court appearance on September 29.
He is currently in custody, awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in the massive fraud.
The Elaborate Fraud Scheme
Ogunshakin and his co-conspirators are accused of defrauding over $6 million from more than 70 businesses in Nebraska and across the United States.
Their method involved a business email compromise (BEC) scheme, which targeted companies from 2016 to 2017.
Impersonation and Wire Transfers
The fraudsters posed as high-ranking executives within the targeted companies, including CEOs, presidents, and owners.
They used spoofed email accounts to instruct employees to complete wire transfers.
This scheme resulted in significant financial losses, with two Nebraska companies alone losing over $530,000.
Ogunshakin’s Role in the Scheme
Alex Ogunshakin played a pivotal role in the fraud scheme.
He provided bank accounts that received fraudulent wire transfers and assisted in sending spoofed emails to solicit the transfers.
He also engaged in romance scams, learning from his co-conspirators.
The Widespread Impact of BEC Scams
The FBI’s report on BEC (Business Email Compromise) reveals the staggering extent of this type of cybercrime.
In 2021, more than $2.4 billion was lost in nearly 20,000 BEC-related complaints, and globally, BEC and email account compromise (EAC) losses exceeded $43 billion.
Co-Conspirators and Their Fates
Several of Ogunshakin’s co-conspirators have faced legal consequences. Adewale Aniyeloye, Pelumi Fawehinimi, and Onome Ijomone were sentenced for their roles in the fraud scheme.
International Sanctions and Pursuit of Cyber Criminals
The Department of Treasury imposed sanctions against Ogunshakin, Richard Uzuh, and four other Nigerian nationals in 2020.
These sanctions blocked their property and interests held by U.S. persons and prohibited dealings with them. Richard Uzuh, Felix Okpoh, Abiola Kayode, and Nnamdi Benson remain at large.
FBI’s Ongoing Vigilance
The FBI continues to prioritize the disruption of cybercriminal groups and their victimization of U.S. individuals and businesses.
Agent Kowel emphasized the FBI’s commitment to pursuing criminals, both domestic and abroad, and expressed gratitude to their Nigerian partners in this effort.