A Nigerian living in the United States, Okeoghene Patrick Udugba, has been indicted by a federal grand jury over his alleged involvement in a romance scam and business email fraud scheme linked to more than $300,000 in losses suffered by a US government agency.
As reported by Punch News, the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania said the 45-year-old Texas resident is charged with money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud.
Prosecutors alleged that he and others used dating platforms to recruit victims who later acted as money mules, while spoofed emails impersonating officials of the US Fish and Wildlife Service were used to obtain payments for fake invoices.
If convicted, Udugba could face up to 30 years in prison, supervised release and a fine. Authorities, however, stressed that the charges remain allegations and that he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Source: Punch News.
