Two individuals, Franklin Okwonna and Ebuka Umeti, have received prison sentences from a U.S. federal court for participating in a significant wire fraud operation that defrauded victims of more than $5 million. The verdict was announced on the website of the US Department of Justice. Okwonna, aged 34, was sentenced to five years and three months in prison and ordered to pay back almost $5 million in restitution after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Meanwhile, Umeti, aged 35, received a 10-year prison sentence and was also instructed to repay nearly $5 million in restitution after being found guilty by a federal jury on multiple charges related to wire fraud and computer damage. The fraudulent scheme involved phishing emails sent to businesses, tricking them into authorizing unauthorized wire transfers by gaining access to their computer systems and email accounts. The scheme resulted in or attempted to cause over $5 million in losses to the targeted businesses.
Two Nigerians sentenced in U.S for $5m fraud
