Obinwanne Okeke, a Nigerian Entrepreneur known as “Invictus Okeke”is facing a 20 year jail term in the United States of America. He pleaded guilty to an $11 million business email compromise scam.
He was sentence to 20years due on October 22 by Magistrate Judge Robert J. Krask of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in the US.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Virginia, “ Okeke pleaded guilty to a computer based intrusion fraud scheme that caused $11 million in losses to his victims.”
The Nigerian Entrepreneur, who was once listed by Forbes as one of the 100 Most Influential Young Africans, conspired with other and “ engaged in a conspiracy from approximately 2015 to 2019 to conduct various computer based frauds.” In the US.
The court shows, “obtained and compiled documents and credentials of hundreds of victims, including victims in the Eastern District of Virginia and elsewhere.”
They used an “an email compromise scheme targeting Unatrac Holding Limited, the export sales office for Caterpillar heavy industrial and farm equipment. An Unatrac executive fell prey to a phishing email that allowed conspirators to capture login credentials.
This conspirators sent fraudulent wire transfer requests and attached fake invoices.He participated in the effort to victimize Unatrac through fraudulent wire transfers totaling nearly $11 million, which funds were transferred overseas.”
The Attorney’s Office added that: Obinawanne Okeke pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
He will face a 20years penalty in prison on October 22. But the Sentences for a Federal crimes are usually less than the maximum penalties.
Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. The Federal court will have to determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.”
He was arrested in Dulles international airport last year by the FBI.
