FBI Arrests Nigerian Hacker in UK for $235,000 Cyber Fraud Against U.S. University

Farouk Adekunle Adepoju Faces Extradition to the U.S. on Wire and Computer Fraud Charges

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has apprehended a Nigerian man based in the United Kingdom, Farouk Adekunle Adepoju, following an extradition request from the United States. Adepoju faces multiple charges of wire fraud and computer fraud after allegedly hacking into systems linked to a U.S. university and stealing more than $235,000.

According to an unsealed indictment announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti, Adepoju carried out the cyberattack between March and April 2023. He allegedly infiltrated the email system of a Western Pennsylvania construction company contracted by a university, altered internal email rules, and created a spoofed email address. By doing so, he tricked the university into wiring $235,266.80 into a fraudulent bank account. Authorities confirmed that the stolen funds remain unrecovered.

“Adepoju is charged with using sophisticated cyber means to illegally access accounts belonging to a business in order to victimize one of our region’s universities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rivetti. “Even from halfway across the world, however, Adepoju was not beyond the investigative reach of the FBI.”

FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek also emphasized the agency’s determination to track down cybercriminals:

“Criminals who think they can reach across the globe into the United States to line their pockets at the expense of the American public need know one thing: the FBI and our partners are not going to let you get away with it.”

Adepoju has been charged with six counts of wire fraud—each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison—and one count of computer fraud, which carries a maximum of five years. If convicted, he could face decades behind bars.

The case underscores the growing threat of international cybercrime and highlights U.S. law enforcement’s ability to pursue suspects beyond American borders.

Stay Updated with the Latest News – Follow Daily Observer on X (formerly Twitter) @DailyObserverNG