A 45-year-old Nigerian national, Okeoghene Udugba, has been indicted by a United States federal grand jury over his alleged role in a romance scam and business email compromise scheme that prosecutors say defrauded a US government agency of more than $300,000.
Udugba, who resides in Frisco, Texas, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, as well as money laundering, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
US Attorney Brian D. Miller stated that Udugba and his alleged accomplices operated overlapping romance fraud and business email compromise schemes targeting victims across several US states.
According to prosecutors, the suspects used social media platforms and online dating websites to establish fake romantic relationships with victims before manipulating them into acting as money mules. The victims were allegedly instructed to receive and cash fraudulently obtained cheques on behalf of the criminal network.
Investigators further alleged that members of the syndicate sent emails from spoofed addresses originating in Nigeria while impersonating officials of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
The fraudulent emails allegedly directed that FWS grant funds be used to settle fake invoices, falsely claiming that the recruited money mules were legitimate contractors and consultants who had carried out work on grant-funded projects.
Prosecutors said the scheme led the agency’s grant administrator to approve payments exceeding $300,000 based on the alleged fraudulent invoices and email instructions.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General. Assistant US Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd is prosecuting the case.
According to US authorities, the prosecution forms part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established under Executive Order 14159 to combat transnational criminal organisations, fraud networks, human trafficking and other cross-border crimes.
The case also supports the Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, an initiative aimed at strengthening efforts to tackle fraud targeting Americans.
If convicted, Udugba could face up to 30 years in federal prison, in addition to a term of supervised release and a financial penalty.
The US Attorney’s Office stressed that the indictment contains allegations only and that Udugba is presumed innocent unless and until his guilt is established in court beyond a reasonable doubt.
