By Abdullahi Sarki
A Nigerian man, Okeoghene Patrick Udugba, has been indicted by a United States federal grand jury over his alleged involvement in a $300,000 romance fraud and business email compromise scheme, according to US prosecutors.
The 45-year-old, who resides in Frisco, Texas, faces charges of money laundering as well as conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced.
US Attorney Brian D. Miller alleged that Udugba and his suspected accomplices operated overlapping romance scams and business email compromise schemes that targeted victims across several US states.
According to prosecutors, the suspects allegedly used social media platforms and dating websites to build fake romantic relationships with victims before persuading them to act as money mules in the fraudulent operation.
Investigators said the victims allegedly received and cashed fraudulently obtained cheques on behalf of the suspected fraud syndicate after being manipulated through the online relationships.
Authorities further alleged that members of the conspiracy sent emails from spoofed addresses in Nigeria, falsely presenting themselves as officials of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
The fraudulent emails allegedly instructed that FWS grant funds be used to settle fake invoices by claiming that recruited money mules were contractors and consultants who had completed grant-related projects.
Based on the alleged fake invoices and fraudulent email instructions, prosecutors said the grant administrator authorised payments exceeding $300,000.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General.
Assistant US Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd is leading the prosecution on behalf of the United States government.
The case forms part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative created under Executive Order 14159 to combat transnational criminal organisations, fraud networks, human trafficking and other cross-border crimes.
US authorities also stated that the prosecution aligns with the Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, which was established to strengthen action against fraud targeting the American public.
If convicted, Udugba could face a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison, in addition to supervised release and a financial penalty.
The US Attorney’s Office stressed that the indictment is an allegation and does not amount to a finding of guilt.
It added that Udugba remains presumed innocent unless and until the charges against him are proven in court.
