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Ten Nigerian nationals have been found guilty in the United States over their roles in a large-scale transnational internet fraud operation that reportedly defrauded victims of about $125 million.

The convictions were announced by the United States Attorney’s Office, which revealed that the Nigerians were among 25 defendants convicted on fraud and money laundering charges after a four-day trial at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

Those convicted include Oluwafemi Michael Awoyemi, Ayobami Osas Christopher, Emmanuel “Omo Igbo” Okereke, Olalekan “Ola Bash” Bashiru, Casey Adesulu Jr, Jeremiah Agina, Ademola Balogun, Olabode Bankole, Chukwuemeka Evulukwu and Ayorinde Emmanuel Adebayo.

According to prosecutors, the group operated complex cyber fraud networks with connections to Nigeria, targeting individuals, businesses, and organisations across multiple states in the United States and other countries.

“Their objective was to gain access to e-mail accounts held by individual users. The co-conspirators would then monitor the communications and other activities of the individual email users to learn about their business practices and contacts,” the prosecutor’s office said.

Investigators stated that once access was gained, the compromised accounts were used to send highly convincing fraudulent messages, tricking victims into making payments for what appeared to be legitimate business transactions.

Authorities noted that the operation extended globally, with victims identified in countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia.

Funds generated from the scheme were reportedly routed through a network of fraudulent bank accounts and transfer systems to obscure their origin and distribute proceeds among members of the syndicate.

In total, the group allegedly generated approximately $125 million, with around $50 million said to have been converted into cashier’s cheques processed through a Chicago-based money service business used to move the illicit funds.

In one example presented in court, a victim company transferred $2.7 million into a shell account controlled by members of the group.

Following their arrest by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, authorities recovered nearly $1.2 million in cash, cryptocurrency, and cashier’s cheques, along with luxury items including high-end wristwatches and a residential property in Georgia.

The convicted individuals are expected to be sentenced at a later date, with penalties to be determined based on their individual roles in the offences and any previous criminal history.

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