A 37-year-old Nigerian national, Chukwunonso Obiora, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison in the United States for masterminding a large-scale financial fraud and identity scheme. The ruling, handed down by Judge Indira Talwani, also requires Obiora to forfeit $3.3 million and undergo three years of supervised release following his prison term.

Obiora played a key role in orchestrating business email compromise (BEC) scams, which targeted companies and resulted in significant financial losses. He employed false identities and other deceptive tactics to conceal his involvement in the conspiracy.

Authorities arrested Obiora in 2023 when he attempted to re-enter the U.S. using a passport obtained through fraudulent means. Investigations revealed his connection to over $6.5 million in illicit financial transactions, cementing his status as a major player in the criminal operation.