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A United States federal court has sentenced Nigerian national Chukwuemeka Amachukwu to eight years in prison for his involvement in multiple fraud schemes involving more than $15 million.
Amachukwu was sentenced on Monday by US District Judge Paul G. Gardephe after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
In addition to the prison term, the court ordered him to forfeit $10,846,634.39 and pay restitution of $3,647,629.39 to compensate victims of the fraudulent operations.
Court documents revealed that the scheme began around 2019 and involved Amachukwu, his co-conspirator Kingsley Uchelue Utulu and other accomplices based in Nigeria. The group allegedly targeted tax preparation businesses in the United States, gaining unauthorised access to their computer systems.
Investigators said the conspirators exploited the compromised systems to obtain sensitive information, which was subsequently used in fraudulent activities. The operation involved computer hacking, identity theft and financial deception that caused substantial losses.
Amachukwu’s conviction followed his guilty plea to the offences. The forfeiture order is intended to deprive him of proceeds associated with the criminal activities, while the restitution order addresses the financial harm suffered by victims.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by US law enforcement agencies to prosecute international cybercrime networks whose operations cross national borders.
The sentencing adds to a series of recent cases involving Nigerian nationals convicted in the United States for cyber-enabled financial crimes.
