Nigerians Indicted, August 2019

https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/us-char ... st/qv6mcxp


The United States Department of Justice has indicted 77 Nigerians in connection to massive fraud that involves a total of 80 people.

Thom Mrozek, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, disclosed on Thursday, August 22, 2019 that 14 suspects were arrested in raids carried out across the U.S.

Many co-conspirators, Mrozek said, are still in Nigeria, with others also at large in the U.S. and other countries.

"We believe this is one of the largest cases of its kind in US history," United States Attorney for the Central District of California, Nick Hanna, said during a press conference on Thursday.





The Assistant Director in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Paul Delacourt, disclosed that the agency is working with security agencies in nine countries to apprehend 57 defendants.

He said the case involves 32 confirmed victims located in the U.S., Japan, the United Kingdom, Lebanon, Ukraine, China, Mexico, Germany, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and Trinidad and Tobago.

"It shows the extensive reach of the cybercriminals involved in this kind of schemes," he said.

The losses in the case, he said, are approximately $10 million.


"We believe this is one of the largest cases of its kind in US history," United States Attorney for the Central District of California, Nick Hanna, said during a press conference on Thursday.

In a 252-count federal grand jury indictment unsealed on Thursday, the defendants are accused of participating in a massive conspiracy to steal millions of dollars through a variety of fraud schemes and launder the funds through a Los Angeles-based money laundering network.

The network duped dozens of victims in the U.S., Colombia, China, The Caribbean, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

31-year-old Valentine Iro and 38-year-old Chukwudi Christogunus Igbokwe, both Nigerians, were used by the network for bank and money-service accounts that could receive funds fraudulently obtained from victims.

ALSO READ: Full list of Nigerians indicted by US for fraud

Both defendants are accused of being involved in schemes resulting in the fraudulent transfer of at least $6 million in fraudulently-obtained funds; and the overall conspiracy was responsible for the attempted theft of at least an additional $40 million.

Iro and Igbokwe allegedly collected bank accounts, fielded requests for bank account information, provided that information to co-conspirators around the world, and laundered the money obtained from victims.

They did this in exchange for a cut of the money stolen from victims of the various fraud schemes.

"Once members of the conspiracy convinced victims to send money under false pretenses, Iro and Igbokwe coordinated the receipt of funds and oversaw an extensive money-laundering network," Mrozek said.





The alleged fraudsters targeted victims in the US and across the globe, including individuals, small and large businesses, and law firms.

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Eight elderly American victims lost thousands of dollars to romance scams and other fraudulent get-rich-quick schemes.

"Today, we have taken a major step to disrupt criminal networks that use BEC schemes, romance scams and other frauds to fleece victims.

"This indictment sends a message that we will identify perpetrators - no matter where they reside - and we will cut off the flow of ill-gotten gains," United States Attorney, Nick Hanna, said.

In the indictment that was unsealed on Thursday, the suspects are on the hook for conspiracy to engage in money laundering; conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, and bank fraud; wire and bank fraud; and money laundering.

Other charges include engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity; operating an unlicensed money transmitting business; destruction of property to prevent seizure; false statements; aggravated identity theft; aiding and abetting; and criminal forfeiture.

The Assistant Director in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Paul Delacourt, disclosed that the agency is working with security agencies in nine countries to apprehend 57 defendants.

He said the case involves 32 confirmed victims located in the U.S., Japan, UK, Lebanon, Ukraine, China, Mexico, Germany, Indonesia, UAE and Trinidad and Tobago.

"It shows the extensive reach of the cybercriminals involved in this kind of schemes," he said.

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The losses in the case, he said, are approximately $10 million.

Delacourt warned citizens to be aware of sophisticated financial schemes to protect themselves or their businesses from becoming unsuspecting victims.

"The FBI is committed to working with our partner agencies worldwide to continue to identify these cyber criminals and to dismantle their networks," he said.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Anil J. Antony and Joseph B. Woodring, of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section.

"If convicted," Hanna said, "all of the defendants face potential decades in federal prison."



Buhari government vows to send indicted Nigerian fraudsters to US for prosecution
Published Last Monday at 10:13 AM

Awsome News .


List of Nigerians that have been Indicted . For past , present and future victims





1 Valentine Iro, aka “Iro Enterprises,” aka “Valentine Obinna Iro ,” aka “Obinna Iro ,” aka “Obinna Nassa”

2 Chukwudi Chri Stogunus Igbokwe, aka “Christogunus C. Igbokwe,” aka “Chris Kudon ,” aka “Atete,” aka “Still Kudon”

3 Jerry Elo Ikogho, aka “J Man”

4 Izuchukwu Kingsley Umejesi, aka “Kingsley Umejesi, “ aka “Armeni an Man,” aka “Kingsley LA,” aka “Izuking Aka Aku”

5 Adegoke Moses Ogungbe, aka “P & P Motors,” aka “Pp”

6 Albert Lewis Cathey, aka “Alb,” aka “Abert Jag,” aka “Al”

7 Tityaye Marina Mansbangura, aka “Tityaye Igbokwe,” aka “Marina Mansour,” aka “Marina Mansaray,” aka “Marina Tityaye Mans Bangura”

8 Chukwudi Collins Ajaeze, aka “Thank You Jesus”

9 Ekene Augustine Ekechukwu, aka “Ogedi Power,” aka “Power”

10 Chuks Eroha, aka “Chuks Nassa Iro,” aka “Nassa,” aka “Prince Chuddy,” aka “Nurse Chuddy,”

11 Collins Nnaemeka Ojimba, aka “Collins Emeka Ojimba,” aka “Ojimba Collins,” aka “Charly.Africa,”

12 Uchenna Ochiagha, aka “Urch Agu,” aka “Advanced Mega Plus Ltd”

13 Nnamdi Theojoseph Duru, aka “Duru Theo Joseph Nnamdi,” aka “Williams High School,” aka “Ifytyns”

14 Ericson Uche Oforka, aka “Oforka,” aka “Eric Oforka”

15 Mark Ifeanyi Chukwuocha, aka “Mark Iheanyi Chukwuocha,” aka “Chukwu Mark,” aka “Markife”

16 Augustine Nnamdi, aka “Nnamdi Augustine,” aka “Jazz”

17 Chiemezie Christopher Chilaka, aka “Fanta”

18 Charles Ohajimkpo, aka “Giggs,” aka “Ryan Giggs,” aka “Charles”

19 Stanley Ugochukwu Uche, aka “Ugo Law,” aka “Uche Stanley,” aka “He is risen. Happy Easter!”

20 Chika Augustine Odionyenma, aka “Tony Augustin Odionyenma,” aka “Chika Tony,” aka “CTA Finance Source Intl”

21 Paschal Chima Ogbonna, aka “Chima,” aka “Paschal”

22 Samuel Nnamdi Onwuasoanya, aka “Sammy Lee Nnamdi,” aka “Onwuasoanya Samuel Nnamdi,” aka “Enugu Ogo”

23 MacWilliam Chinonso Chukwuocha, aka “ChiBoy”

24 Emmanuel Onyeka Uzoka, aka “Emmanuel Mansion,” aka “Mansion,” aka “Son of God,” aka “Ezirim Uzoma”

25 Joshua Aniefiok Awak, aka “Joe Awk,” aka “Kwee Tin Law”

26 George Ugochukwu Egwumba, aka “George Ugo,” aka “Ugo Aunty Scholar”

27 Uchechukwu Solomon Ezirim, aka “Uche Nwanne,” aka “Uche Ezirim”

28 Augustine Ifeanyi Okafor, aka “Zero,” aka “St.Austine,” aka “Austine,” aka “Ifeanyichukwu Okafor”

29 Leslie N. Mba, aka “Mystical,” aka “Nwachinemere Leslie”

30 Ogochukwu Innocent Ikewesi, aka “Ogoo UK,” aka “Innocent Ikewesi”

31 Emmanuel Uzoma Ogandu, aka “Nwachinaemere,” aka “Uzoma”

32 Amarachukwu Harley Anyanwu, aka “GodisGod,” aka “War B”

33 Bright Ifeanyi Azubuike, aka “Bright Bauer Azubuike,” aka “Ifeanyi Jnr”

34 Emeka Moses Nwachukwu, aka “All Man,” aka “Omalitoto,”

35 Chinwendu Kenneth Osuji, aka “Father”

36 Eusebius Ugochukwu Onyeka, aka “Ugo UK,” aka “sly19 sly”

37 Chidi Anunobi, aka “Anunobi Chidi,” aka “Chidioo”

38 Anthony Nwabunwanne Okolo, aka “Eric West,” aka “Erci West,” aka “Code”

39 Obinna Christian Onuwa, aka “Papa Chukwuezugo,” aka “Obinna Onuwa Abala,” aka “Obyno Abala”

40 Chijioke Chukwuma Isamade, aka “Mr CJ,” aka “CJ”

41 Linus Nnamdi Madufor, aka “Madufor Nnamdi”

42 Chrysaugonus Nnebedum, aka “Cris”

43 Ugochukwu Okereke, aka “Blade,” aka “Kingsly Cris,” aka “Okereke Ugochukwu”

44 Fidel Leon Odimara, aka “Fiedel Odimara,” aka “Ndaa,” aka “Dee Dutchman”

45 Kingsley Chinedu Onudorogu, aka “OBJ”

46 Dessi Nzenwah, aka “Desmond Sage,” aka “Des Nzenwa,” aka “Saga Lounge”

47 Chimaroke Obasi, aka “Chima Russia”

48 James Chigozie Agube, aka “Smart,” aka “Smart Agube,” aka “Smart Chigozie Agube”

49 Chimaobi Uzozie Okorie, aka “Omaobi,” aka “Mobility”

50 Ogochukwu Ohiri, aka “Ogomegbulam Ohiri,” aka “Ologbo”

51 Kennedy Chibueze Ugwu, aka “Kennedy David”

52 Ifeanyichukwu Oluwadamilare Agwuegb

53 Victor Ifeanyi Chukwu, aka “Ifeannyi Soccer,” aka “Vic Chux”

54 Chidi Emmanuel Megwa, aka “Cantr,” aka “Canta Jr.”

55 Princewill Arinze Duru, aka “Arnzi Prince Will,” aka “Arinze”

56 Desmond Iwu, aka “Desmond Chigozie Iwu,” aka “Lalaw,” aka “Odo Desmond”

57 Onyeka Vincent Chika, aka “Chyco,” aka “Chika Ejima,” aka “Vincent Chika Onyeka”

58 Ifeanyi Kingsley Mezienwa, aka “Ifeanyi Ali,” aka “Ifeanyichukwu Mezienwa”

59 Victor Uchenna Aguh, aka “Orch Sod,” aka “Uche SP,” aka “Rich Homie Urch”

60 Kevin Amarachi Eshimbu, aka “Humble,” aka “Humble Amarachukwu,” aka “Dato Humble”

61 Vitalis Kelechi Anozie, aka “Kelechi Vitalis Anozie,” aka “Kelechi Anozieh,” aka “Pastor Kel Anozie,” aka “Pastor Kc,” aka “Choice”

62 Williams Obiora Agunwa, aka “Don Williams”

63 George Chimezie Dike, aka “Chimekros,” aka “Slim Dad…No…1”

64 Munachiso Kyrian Ukachukwu, aka “Muna”

65 Nwannebuike Osmund, aka “Osmund Nwannebuike,” aka “Olivite,” aka “Nikky Bro.”

66 Chidiebere Franklin Nwangwu, aka “Frank Chidi,” aka “Franklin Nwangwu,” aka “Agogo”

67 Damian Uchechukwu Ajah, aka “Uche Ajah,” aka “Ajah Damian Uchechukwu,” aka “Uchechukwu Demian Ajah”

68 Emeka P. Ejiofor, aka “Ejiofor Emeka”

69 Lawrence Chukwuma Ubasineke, aka “Ubasineke Chuks,” aka “Chukwuma Ubasineke”

70 Chinedu Bright Ibeto, aka “Doggy,” aka “Doggy Lucino”

71 Valentine Amarachi Nwanegwo, aka “Satis,” aka “Satis Amarachi Satis”

72 Emmanuel Chidiebere Dike, aka “Emmanet”

73 Jeremiah Utieyin Eki, aka “Uti”

74 Chinaka Davidson Iwuoha, aka “Tmrw Afrika Will Wake Up,” aka “Cookie,” aka “All Africa Media Network”

75 Chima Darlington Duru, aka “Kajad,” aka “Kajad Jesus”

76 Ikenna Christian Ihejiureme, aka “Piper,” aka “Am Happy!”

77 Obi Onyedika Madekwe, aka “Odu Investment”


Three others with Nigerian-sounding nicknames were also listed, but their names are currently unknown.
1First Name Unknown (FNU) Last Name Unknown (LNU), aka “Xplora G”
2FNU LNU, aka “Donatus Izunwanne,” aka “Izunwanne Donatus Chibuikem,” aka “Deworlddonmax”
3FNU LNU, aka “Okay Sam Mal”

The suspects are on the hook for conspiracy to engage in money laundering; conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, and bank fraud; wire and bank fraud; and money laundering.

Other charges include engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity; operating an unlicensed money transmitting business; destruction of property to prevent seizure; false statements; aggravated identity theft; aiding and abetting; and criminal forfeiture.



"If convicted," Hanna said, "all of the defendants face potential decades in federal prison."

https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/buhari- ... us/q8vy0kf


While speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday, August 25, President Muhammadu Buhari's spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said the government would consider extraditing indicted suspects to the U.S. if required.

"If the Nigerian government is required to cooperate in any way, including extradition, if it meets the requirement of our laws, they will be assisted to prosecute them and face justice," he said.

He reiterated that the 76-year-old president will not fight for Nigerians who violate the laws of the countries where they reside.

"This administration will work with all nations around the globe to fight criminality. If it is Nigerians that are involved in this thing, well, hard luck to them.

"But the government would not stand in the way of the justice system. Every citizen of this country who travels out of the country are required to obey the laws of their host countries," he said.



He also said the incident is a wake up call for the government, and that it'll inspire the generation of new laws from the National Assembly as well as new executive orders from the president if necessary.

He said the laws will aim to block some loopholes used by Nigerians to "embarrass and blacklist the country".

Shehu described the indictments as "doubly damaging" for every Nigerian and a taint on the country. However, he said anyone "with a modicum of common sense" would not profile all Nigerians as bad based on the actions of only a few.




"Nigerians are hardworking and honest people all over the world. There are millions of our citizens who are out there earning legitimately their own incomes. No, they don't deserve to be so tarnished." he said.

Shehu also disclosed that the U.S. government is already in talks with Nigeria's Ministry of Justice regarding the indictments.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), he said, is also involved in talks with the U.S. government surrounding concerns about the rights of fellow Nigerians in the country.

Last week, the commission's chairperson, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, called on indicted suspects to turn themselves in to authorities.

"We ask those accused in Nigeria to voluntarily turn themselves in to American authorities to clear their names, without which the Nigerian government would extradite them if relevant international treaties between the two governments are invoked," she said.

Criminal ring stole millions of dollars

FBI's Delacourt said last week that the case involves 32 confirmed victims located in the U.S., Japan, the United Kingdom, Lebanon, Ukraine, China, Mexico, Germany, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and Trinidad and Tobago with an approximated loss of $10 million.

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