Five Nigerians Sentenced to 160 Years in U.S. Prison Over $17 Million Cyber Fraud Scheme

In a landmark judgment delivered in Sherman, Texas, a United States District Court has sentenced five Nigerian nationals to a combined total of nearly 160 years in federal prison for orchestrating a sophisticated $17 million fraud operation.

According to court documents, the group defrauded over 100 victims, including individuals, businesses, and government agencies, through a complex web of cyber scams. These included business email compromise (BEC), romance fraud, and other online deception tactics designed to steal funds and sensitive information.

Federal prosecutors revealed that the conspirators laundered millions through a network of fraudulent accounts and shell companies. The scheme, which spanned several years, left a trail of financial and emotional devastation in its wake.

The convicted individuals—whose names and individual sentences were detailed in the court’s final judgment—were described as key players in a transnational crime ring that exploited digital platforms to carry out their crimes.

U.S. authorities hailed the sentencing as a major victory in the fight against international cybercrime and reiterated their commitment to holding perpetrators of financial fraud accountable, regardless of their nationality or location.

The court emphasized the severity of the offenses, noting the widespread impact on victims and the elaborate measures taken by the defendants to conceal their illegal activities.