A 45-year-old Nigerian, Okeoghene Patrick Udugba, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in the United States over allegations of money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced the indictment on Wednesday, alleging that Udugba, who resides in Frisco, Texas, was involved in coordinated romance scam and business email compromise schemes.
Prosecutors alleged that Udugba and others used social media platforms and dating websites to establish fake romantic relationships with individuals in different states. The victims were allegedly manipulated into acting as money mules by receiving and cashing fraudulently obtained checks.
The US authorities further alleged that members of the group sent emails from spoofed addresses in Nigeria while posing as officials of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
According to the statement, the fraudulent emails instructed that FWS grant funds be used to pay fabricated invoices. The invoices allegedly falsely claimed that the recipients were contractors or consultants who had completed eligible projects for the agency.
The alleged scheme resulted in payments exceeding $300,000 being issued by the FWS grant administrator, prosecutors said.
The investigation is being handled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General. Assistant US Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd is prosecuting the case.
The prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative focused on combating transnational criminal organisations and financial fraud.
If convicted, Udugba could face up to 30 years in federal prison, supervised release after imprisonment, and a fine under US federal law.
The US Attorney’s Office, however, stressed that an indictment is only an allegation and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
