Nigerian Extradited from South Africa Pleads Guilty in $4m U.S. Fraud Case

A Nigerian man, James Junior Aliyu, extradited from South Africa, has pleaded guilty in the United States to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering linked to a multi-million-dollar business email compromise (BEC) scheme.

Aliyu was the last of three defendants indicted in the case, while eight others had earlier pleaded guilty in related prosecutions in Maryland.

According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, a federal grand jury indicted Aliyu, Kosi Goodness Simon-Ebo, and Henry Onyedikachi Echefu on June 24, 2019, for their roles in the conspiracy.

U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes announced the guilty plea alongside Evan Campanella, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore.

Court documents revealed that between February and July 2017, Aliyu and his co-conspirators hacked into victims’ email accounts, sending spoofed messages with fake wiring instructions to divert funds. The stolen money was laundered through multiple bank accounts to conceal ownership.

The intended fraud amounted to over $4.1 million, with actual losses of at least $1.57 million. Aliyu personally controlled about $1.19 million, which he has agreed to forfeit. He will also pay a minimum of $2.3 million in restitution.

Aliyu now faces up to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing set for November 24 before U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman.

Hayes praised the efforts of HSI’s Mid-Atlantic El Dorado Task Force, South African authorities, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, and Canada’s International Assistance Group for their support in the case.