A France-based Nigerian national, Chukwuemeka Victor Amachukwu, is facing a maximum of 47 years in prison after being extradited to the United States over his alleged role in a major cyber fraud and identity theft operation.
According to Punch Metro, Amachukwu was extradited on Monday and arraigned the following day before a U.S. Magistrate. The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that the 39-year-old, along with co-conspirators, hacked into U.S.-based tax firms using spearphishing techniques in 2019.
Once inside these systems, primarily in states like New York and Texas, the group reportedly stole the identities of innocent individuals to file fraudulent tax returns and claims, targeting the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The cybercriminals were allegedly able to obtain over $2.5 million in fraudulent tax refunds and an additional $819,000 through deceitful applications to the Small Business Administration’s COVID-19 relief loan program.
Amachukwu is facing:
1 count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion (5 years max)
2 counts of wire fraud conspiracy (20 years max each)
2 counts of wire fraud (20 years max each)
1 count of aggravated identity theft (mandatory 2 years)
📰 Latest News Today
Authorities also revealed that Amachukwu is facing a separate indictment involving a fraudulent investment scheme where he tricked victims with fake standby letters of credit.
The DOJ emphasized that while sentencing is ultimately up to the judge, the charges could see Amachukwu spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted on all counts.
This high-profile case is part of a broader crackdown on international cybercrime rings targeting U.S. government programs.
#CyberFraud #NigerianNews #USJustice #WireFraud #IdentityTheft #IRSScam #DOJ #Extradition