The United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has fingered some Nigerians of being involved in a massive business email scam and money laundering scheme of about $3bn.
Thom Mrozek, a spokesperson for the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, said that more than a dozen individuals were arrested during raids on Thursday, mostly in the Los Angeles area.
Mrozek said most of the individuals alleged to be involved in the scheme are based in Nigeria.
TechCrunch.com reports that while it was not immediately known if the Nigerians would be extradited to the US, a treaty exists between the two nations, making extraditions possible.
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US Attorney, Nicola Hanna, said the case was part of an ongoing effort to protect citizens and businesses from email scam.
The FBI said, “The impersonation attacks have cost consumers and businesses more than $3bn since 2015. Prosecutors said Valentine Iro, 31, and Chukwudi Christogunus Igbokwe, 38, both Nigerian nationals and residents of California, are accused of running the operation.”
Prosecutors alleged that Iro and Igbokwe were “essentially brokers” of fraudulent bank accounts by fielding requests for bank account information and laundering the money obtained from victims.
“This indictment sends a message that we will identify perpetrators – no matter where they reside – and we will cut off the flow of ill-gotten gains,” said FBI.
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